Aunt Ellen’s Dolls’ House
Aunt Ellen’s dolls’ house
is over eighty years old.
Made for my great-gran when she was six
and passed down through the family
with love and care.
Gingham curtains frame the windows
to this magical place
where time stands still
until little hands
set the table for dinner
rearrange pots on the stove
play the silent piano
and tuck the baby up in bed.
As those same little hands get older
they repair the chairs
crochet tiny blankets
and repaint the trailing flowers
around the door.
If I could step inside
and sit in the rocking chair
drinking tea from a china cup
while the dog sleeps forever at my feet
I would ask the doll in the blue dress
what it’s like to watch as
all the children grow up.
is over eighty years old.
Made for my great-gran when she was six
and passed down through the family
with love and care.
Gingham curtains frame the windows
to this magical place
where time stands still
until little hands
set the table for dinner
rearrange pots on the stove
play the silent piano
and tuck the baby up in bed.
As those same little hands get older
they repair the chairs
crochet tiny blankets
and repaint the trailing flowers
around the door.
If I could step inside
and sit in the rocking chair
drinking tea from a china cup
while the dog sleeps forever at my feet
I would ask the doll in the blue dress
what it’s like to watch as
all the children grow up.
This poem is copyright (©) Julie Anna Douglas 2024
About the Writer
Julie Anna Douglas
Julie has been writing poems for as long as she can remember and many of them have found homes is beautiful magazines like The Caterpillar, Ladybug and Spider and in poetry collections by The Emma Press and MacMillan Publishing. She particularly enjoys combining poetry and art in workshops for children and her first poetry collection 'Painting Poems' illustrated by Jools Wilson is full of colourful poetry and creative ideas. Her next book is full of poetry maps and will be out soon!
