The Tall Girl With Skinned Knees - (From My Chap Book "from Childhood"

The tall girl with skinned knees    hair of straw
Shirley ‘the hag’

Her voice cracks when she talks
Skinny    torn knees knock when she walks

She will flavor all Shirleys to come
Her face above    left    or right of any Shirley

When the hag skips rope
She clacks like a bag of bones
Dirty hair flops
Singing a school room tune
“The frog he would a wooing go’
It fits…….ho ho  
Just wait for the rope to tangle
Frog voice break
The descent like a tinkertoy tower
Knees all mangled
Feel sorry then
When tears streak her bony face

Shirley ‘the hag’
Poor skinny baby
To the office run    with broken stilts
Stumble again
Ripped to the bone    maybe
..................................................................................................
For Robert Dufresne, my humor-loving friend
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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Mason Avatar
February 1, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Aw ... so mean to poor Shirley ... and I see her "broken stilts" and remember how terribly awkward I was in 6th grade when I was taller than all the boys ... oh well. I need to get together a "chap book" (why are they called that) and wonder if you just copied yours at a copy shop or had a printer put it together ??? I'd like to do something this year but can't afford a real publisher ... I'm having my 50th HS reunion in September and all my pennies are going for that ... smile ...
George   Avatar
January 27, 2010 at 9:21 AM
I think she went to my school. lol. Love this Dave. Lainie PS . I am on my dial up connection - slower than a snail. Haven't been able to pick up my wireless signal since I got back from NC. I will email you a couple of chapters as soon as I can get my signal again. Love, Lainie
Devonshire Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 8:24 AM
"Shirley" reminds me of some girls I knew in school. Some of the "too tall," lanky ones went on to become models, much to the dismay of gals like me who are "height-impaired" and can't even reach all the kitchen cabinets. Wonderful wit in this write, Daver! I bet "Shirley 'the hag'" turned out to be quite a beauty as she blossomed into adulthood!! Love you, Carolyn (I see Robert enjoyed this, too!)
Culverhouse Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 5:51 AM
really kinda sad, poor thing.
Dufresne Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 6:28 PM
Hi Daver! haha You knew i would come a hunting up another poem from you , didn't you? Yes sir and you didn't disappoint me!Poor Shirley--maybe! I am totally honored that you would take the time and effort to reach into the ole Chap book for me with this funny write. enjoyed it much and it does bring to mind a Shirley from grade school that I used to carry books home for.to be polite...much like you descibed. Grew up to be a knock out georgeous lady! Didn't remember Me though! haha thanks Daver!
Peranteau Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Daver,..its an amusing poem Sir,..I've always have had a soft spot for the less fortunate souls who've always seemed to have the busted crusted knees ! I was always that Shirley as a child,lol Great write sir,..brought back 'ol mems,...without being verbose,..I think that I turned out just fine ! *smiles* james
Cheeseman Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 5:45 AM
Ah! from the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan maybe , enjoyed this write and thanks for the support Daniel
Kendrick Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 5:25 AM
A girl in waiting to be beautiful. Keep the creative pen flowing. Sara
Dietrich Avatar
January 22, 2010 at 8:11 AM
great writing here! I can picture this "poor" hag of a girl. Andrea
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