IRISH-IN-UK-L Archives

From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: "The Shadow Doll" -- Dublin-born Ms. Eavan BOLAND (contemp.)
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 10:14:32 -0800

THE SHADOW DOLL

(This was sent to the bride-to-be in Victorian times, by her dressmaker. It consisted of a porcelain doll, under a dome of glass, modeling the proposed wedding dress.)

They stitched blooms from ivory tulle
to hem the oyster gleam of the veil.
They made hoops for the crinoline.

Now, in summary and neatly sewn --
a porcelain bride in an airless glamour --
the shadow doll survives its occasion.

Under glass, under wraps, it stays
even now, after all, discreet about
visits, fevers, quickenings and lusts

and just how, when she looked at
the shell-tone spray of seed pearls,
the bisque features, she could see herself

inside it all, holding less than real
stephanotis, rose petals, never feeling
satin rise and fall with the vows

I kept repeating on the night before --
astray among the cards and wedding gifts --
the coffee pots and the clocks and

the battered tan case full of cotton
lace and tissue paper, pressing down, then
pressing down again. And then, locks.

-- Ms. Eavan BOLAND, born Dublin, has lived in England and the USA.

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• "The Shadow Doll" -- Dublin-born Ms. Eavan BOLAND (contemp.) by "Jean R." <>