Play is Political

A pencil case served as Barbie's bed
though it was coffin narrow
and too short. She rose from it,
dressed in a fuzzy sock,
drove a pink slipper car,
smile glamour bright.
 
When Kim came over,
bringing Barbies, Kens,
and accessories, that lone doll,
no boyfriend, no Dreamhouse,
hid in the closet. Waited
while the girls played
Kim's favorite game, Monopoly.
 
Kim's pile of money grew
as it did each time. Turned
into houses. Turned into hotels.
Though a little metal Scottie dog
stepped warily on each space,
his player held only shameful
pink and white bills. Kim riffled
blue and orange stacks of wealth.
 
Barbie's owner dragged Scottie
halfway around the board,
a pauper's march to the poorhouse.
Returned the game to the shelf
next to Life and Trouble.
Proposed cherry Hi-C 
and backyard swings.
Kept a smile painted 
on her eight-year-old face,
behind which she envisioned
Dreamhouses for everyone. 



Laura Grace Weldon lives on Bit of Earth Farm where she's an editor and marginally useful farm wench. She's the author of a poetry collection titled  and a handbook of alternative education, . Her work appears in Christian Science Monitor, Wired.com, Literary Mama,  J Journal, The Shine Journal, Musie Pie Press, L'Initiation, Pudding House, and others. Connect with her at lauragraceweldon.com