Ancient Girl

Antique doll, 

fragile as a

delicate whisper—

limbs like slender twigs.

She sits in silence,

soft echo of a bygone era,

a relic of forgotten dreams.

Each touch a tremor,

every bump  a threat to shatter

her delicate form—

a silent cry

trapped

within her painted smile.

A single misstep, 

a careless nudge 

could unravel

her existence.

An enigma in 

cream lace—

a wisp of time

in a suspended

glass case, 

waiting for a gentle hand

to keep her delicate dance intact—

yet knowing

the gentlest touch 

could render to

dust.