An Age of Innocence

‘Can 'oo men my dollie?’
she asks the bearded man.
He smiles, he’s jolly,

and so replies:  ‘By golly,
I will do all that I can
to mend your dollie.’

The little girl is Mollie.
The kindly blacksmith, Stan.
He smiles, he’s jolly.

No evil thoughts sully
his mind. How does Stan plan
to mend her dollie?

I don’t know. It would be folly
to pretend I do. But I’m now his fan.
He smiles, he’s jolly,

not off his trolley,
and able to mollify innocent Mollie who began
by asking ‘Can 'oo men my dollie?’
He smiles, he’s jolly.

Artist: Jessie Curry