Comeback-Shirley, starting early,
I'm the sparkle that teases night.
Worship, the Madonna baby!
Comeback-Shirley
Foam hair curlers set loose coils tight.
Strawberry cheeks, fans wish to see.
Appearances, tilt the glass right.
Put your sugar bowl out, missy.
The world shall call you its sunlight.
Stolen cradle, aren't you in glee?
Comeback-Shirley
"Oh King Charles Philip Arthur George,
how do I see thee?
Let me count the ways...
Tho' beauty is only skin deep,
and in the eye of the beholder,
or so we have been told,
yours is more, it goes to the bone,
a sore sight for eyes to behold,
now you have acceded to the throne.
As, like diarrhoea, it seems,
it runs in the genes,
and, if POTUS is President of the USA,
would you be he, KOTUK,
King Of The UK?"
'Surely you jest,' quoth he in dour reply.
Tho', not joking nor feeling surly,
"Some things you simply can't deny,
ours not to reason why," said I,
"and please don't call me Shirley!"
Shiela shrugs her shivering shoulders,
Shows she’s shunning her short shower;
Shy she is, but so shocking for Shirley to see
Shouting at her, “I should swim in the sea!”
Shirley’s shrill sound says, “No shampoo?”
Shoes off and shades on, sisters should go…
Sheila and Shirley swim swiftly side by side
Shouting, “Salty and spooky are the sea tides!”
Shirley and Shiela shake, swim, shudder, shake
Shiela says, “Sea tides shut and shift our shape!”
Suddenly, sisters are off without slippers on the sunshine,
Sharing shovel, scoping sandy seashells at the shoreline.
Shirley sallied forth with another amusing quip
Does she never take life seriously? Asked stern face
I chose to ignore him, preferring Shirley every day
She is always joking, stern face said to another woman.
She did not reply either.
Shirley enters the lunchroom with fairy dust and magic sparkles
Stern Face brings in gravel and disgust.
Posey and Shirley two bad men I once knew
Bar room brawlers and stinkers these two
might had made a millionaire
had I told about this pair
Because this was way before boy named Sue
Laverne, Shirley, Big Ragoo
And there’s Lenny and Squiggy
Making dodo dreams come true.
Doing itsu way.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
What a charming kid you are.
Across the silver screen you prance,
Though you can't act, or sing, or dance,
But for six whole years
Your precious cuteness had no par.
You were tons of fun with curly hair,
And miles and miles of sunny smiles,
But I surmise, Miss Shirley Temple,
That movie history critics say
Your most conspicuous talent lay,
Not in real abilities, per se,
But in twinkling eyes and lots of dimples.
Author's note: I wrote this piece, dear reader, after watching "The Bluebird" last Christmas. Some of you may not be aware that Shirley Temple was MGM's first choice for the role of Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz", but her studio would not "lend" her to them for the project. And they have my eternal gratitude.
In your presence, a trembling dance unfolds,
Why do you shake, a mystery untold?
Each moment shared, a delicate quake,
Like dropped perfume, memories break.
At my mom's farewell, a somber day,
Our worlds collided in an unusual way.
Others observed, a subtle connection,
In shared grief, a silent reflection.
Amidst the whispers, a lingering desire,
Yet, your silence fans love's quiet fire.
Why won't you call, unveil the enigma?
In the unsaid words, emotions stigma.
Around me, tremors echo unexplained,
A dance of nerves, feelings unrestrained.
Perfumed memories, a fragrant cloak,
In the unspoken, our hearts bespoke.
In a humble home, where love takes its stand,
Uncle Devoe and Aunt Shirley, a diligent band.
Hardworking spirits, like a flame that won't tire,
Kindness and warmth, they generously inspire.
Aiding thousands with grace, their hearts pure and true,
Selfless endeavors, like morning's dew.
Though time keeps us distant, and miles intervene,
Missed moments weigh heavy, like a forgotten dream.
In the quiet of Christmas, nostalgia takes flight,
Memories dance, wrapped in starlight.
To Uncle Devoe and Aunt Shirley, a heartfelt refrain,
From afar, with love, James McLain.
'Scepter and Crown
must tumble down.'
wrote a poet of a long past day.
For want of renewal,
must so many a school
not tumble but crumble away.
Shirley girl it’s been a thrill
Let me introduce you to Bill
He has a dog called Jet
He’s a solid bet
You’re dumping me after an hour
One hour
Sixty minutes of bliss
How you reminisced
Your ex Ted
Shot himself in the head
Mother Jill
Lying at the bottom of the hill
Father John
Somewhere in the Amazon
Grandad Cain
Threw himself under a train
Granny Flo
Where did she go
Not forgetting brother Fred
Lost, presumed dead
Then you mention your lesbian lover Di
Who right away I’m thinking
How did she die
Not realising, you must be Bi
Then just as I’m getting my head round that
You mention the cat
Is there a dog
What about the fog
Oh, that’s what caused the bus to disappear into the bog
You saved the lollipop man Jack
Well, that’s a blessing
What
Died next day, heart attack
Shirley girl
Don’t think of me as a bit of a moaner
But Jesus girl
You're a bloody Jonah.
Nellie is home, in the arms of great halls,
She's got plenty to sing and carve on these walls,
Nowhere, I linger, absence abound,
I've got none to return to - none safe and sound
I do not feel sure of anything any more; that is for sure
Shirley had always dreamed of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
One night she was awakened by a giant polar bear named Alice.
I am taking you to Norway, to see the northern lights, she said.
Shirley was taken swiftly across the ice in some large sled.
The lights were better than she could have imagined with her mind.
Thank you Alice, she said to her faerie god-Animal; you were very kind.
I can take you to the Antarctic too, if you want to see the ice flow.
Maybe later, Shirley told her. For I am a bit tired of this frozen snow.
So, Shirley went to sleep, and her faerie god-Animal went away.
But she knew if she needed her, Alice would return with glee that day.
It’s terrific to know that a large white polar bear has my back Shirley said.
Her parents smiled at her whimsy and tucked her back into her bed.
HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY SWEET SOUL SHIRLEY!!
I hope today is as special as you are
Relax and enjoy being spoilt
Heres a birthday cuddle from afar!
I am so happy our paths have crossed
Our friendship has been formed
From your honest, heartfelt poems
My heart was truly warmed
You write with such versatility
With humour, sadness and cheer
Captivating tales about your life
Of now and days of yesteryear
Your body maybe ageing Shirley
But your mind is astute and sharp
Your poems are intelligent and witty
Beautifully penned from your open heart
You are one beautiful lady
Authentic to the core
Happy Birthday my sweet friend Shirley
I wish you many more!
Birthday : Monday 26th September
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