Poetry

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HANDS HOLDING HANDS

I am a doll collector. My collection comprises Dolls of the World. My girls have all become as close as sisters and stand hand-in-hand for the world to see.

Let us go take a peek ...

Anna from the Ukraine welcomes one and all. Her homeland's costume is a hand-embroidered blouse in blue and yellow and a long flowered skirt. The streamers hang down her back from the colorful headpiece worn over her braided hair twisted atop her head.

... Anna holds hands with Sophie from Poland.

Miss Sophie has a fair complexion and thick golden hair. She wears a white linen dress with fine lace bordering the sleeves and hem.

... Sophie holds hands with Kim from Korea.

Miss Kim has dark brown almond-shaped eyes and thick black hair in two long braids. She has on a pleated red skirt and beneath are the loose pantaloons worn by both men and women. She also wears a bright yellow blouse with a red-ribbon trimming.

... Kim holds hands with Akiko from Japan.

Miss Akiko has on a kimono of bright cherry-red and bordered with a bluish-green color. It falls to the ground and worn tightly around her waist is a long gorgeous sash made of brocaded silk.

... Akiko holds hands with Abigail from the United States.

Miss Abigail wears a Frontier-Period costume. Her dress is made of calico and gingham with a touch of ribbon as trimming. She has on an apron and wide-brimmed sunbonnet.

... Abigail holds hands with Tanya from Russia.

Miss Tanya wears a floral print blouse trimmed in lace and a full skirt. She has on a flowered headpiece with ribbons.

... Tanya holds hands with Brigitte from France, who holds hands with Aileen from Ireland, who holds Gretchen's hand from Germany ...

... The circle of hands goes around with Athena from Greece, Bonita from Brazil, Elsa from Holland, Cale from Denmark, Maria from Mexico, Shelley from England, Erika from Switzerland, Rosa from Portugal, Luan from China, Anne from Sweden, Sarah from Israel, Leila from Egypt, Shanti from India, Noni from Canada, Freya from Norway, Kali from Sri Lanka, Rosalinda from Argentina, Consuela from Peru, Gwynn from Wales, Suisan from Scotland and Carmen from Spain.

Most of my dolls came from the Danbury Mint. As one arrived each month, she was introduced to the others. They all became fast friends and took one another's hands. My girls taught me many lessons about love and acceptance and how to forget PAST history and make a NEW history by grabbing and cherishing hands in the present.

The countries not yet represented in my home, won't you come and take our hands, too?

HANDS HOLDING HANDS. TAKE MINE. GIVE ME YOURS.

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One woman was responsible for taking Prayer out of public schools. With God's Grace, my mission I choose is to put Prayer not only back in schools, but into every heart and soul which lives and into the heart of all creation. Mission Impossible??? Nonetheless, I shall try.

HIGHEST GLORY TO OUR HOLY CREATOR (or whatever Name we Bless Him with) AND IN ALL THE UNIVERSE(S) PEACE AND GOOD WILL!!!

In humble Faith, Hope, and Charity,
DIANE-LYNN BRODA
Elizabeth, New Jersey (USA)

copyright 1986-2006

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Times don't change. It is the people who do.

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