Hollyhocks
Outside of the house where Muriel grew up was a large hollyhock bush. I don't think it was supposed to be a bush, but to me as a nine year old girl, it seemed tall and broad. Hollyhock blossoms are made for little girls to dream about. I am convinced. I can remember picking blossoms from the plant and pretending that they were beautiful ballerinas.
Once in awhile I will see a hollyhock plant here where I live. They always remind me of Grandpa and Grandma Toole's home in Medicine Hat. Happy memories of a brief moment of dreaming with a delicate dancer in my hand.
I often wonder if there are still hollyhocks growing in the garden. The house is still there and a cousin's daughter lives there. I hope she kept the hollyhocks.
DOLLS
When mother dear wore gingham frocks,
Her dollies grew on hollyhocks.
Here was a lady clad in silk,
there was another, white as milk.
Dainty dolls in silken frocks
Blooming on the hollyhocks,
Bowing low at every breeze;
Nodding to the bumble-bees.
Darling dolls in dainty frocks
Blooming on the hollyhocks.
