handle with care

once upon a time, the china doll whispered, i was useful. squeezed to death, decorated, set out on display. blinking blue tears away she glanced at the discarded take-out cartons, cigarette packages, cardboard and shattered beer bottles. smoothing out her lace and ribbons, tossing her curls, she lowered lengthy lashes and willed away the nightmare. who needs anyone? she thought then brought hands to face and wept so hard her body broke. on her feet, the sticker stuck: fragile, handle with care.