Blond Ringlets And Rags Poem by Deborah White

A little Newcastle born and bred sixties
lassie, cute ringlets in rags in a baby
pink nylon nightie jumped right off
the bedroom window ledge like Peter
Pan’s Wendy. But didn’t quite make
it to the safely of the mermaid island
floor. Caught up on the darn window
hook by that favourite nylon nightie,
left dangling and swinging, only able
to wish and stare and think and hope
was anyone there did anybody care?


Couldn’t climb down couldn’t reach the
floor or wriggle out nothing left to do
but shout. Wondering would I ever get
rescued would I ever get help, will I
to be here forever left dangling alone
by myself. Then shouts of laughter a
noisy crowd gathered, amused at my
expense. And for what seemed a long
while no one bothered to move or help,
all I saw were silly grins and a row of
toothy white smiles. What I wanted more
than anything else was to get down to
be free, from my old nylon night gown.
My very favourite old fashioned baby
pink very troublesome nylon nightie.