The Katakuri That Won’t Move

On a pedestal lean and brimful,

Dolls smile a vacant glee.

The master came and with a clap

The dolls whirls and twirls.

But in the sea of mirth,

A lone doll won’t budge.

The master claps again

And again.

Alas, no signal to be found.

He whispers to the doll.

Sings sweet nothings,

Bribe with thousand yens,

And even threatens the thing.

Alas, no signal to be found.

“That thing’s a nuisance,

But pretty and too expensive.”

He glanced to other deflects

A cabinet of other dolls

Though they stumble and crash.

“Ha, hilarious yet precious.”

“They move after a while,

Why not you.”

“Why won’t you move,

That’s all I want.”

“Even a flicker would do,

See just like your peers.”

But the doll does not know itself.

It wants to move,

Just like the rest.

It wants to twirl and whirl

Even stumble and struggle.

But all it can do is stand.

“Fine! Stay that way!”

People can just ignore

Or laugh at you!“

"The dancers are the stars

Not you useless lump.”

The master pouts

And left for tea.

The doll stared at the others,

All still and happy.

“I’m sorry.”

But of course,

Dolls can’t talk.