Portrait of an Unknown Girl

BIG TENT POETRY

http://bigtentpoetry.org/

Aim: to comment as a photographer.

PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN GIRL

She looked a nice young kid, fresh-faced, with a sunny smile.

She was sitting in the sunshine, entirely without guile.

I was photographing scenery down there beside the sea,

And she looked up and laughed and said  'I dare you to take me!'

It was such an innocent request, made with a little laugh,

So, there and then, I captured her in a seaside photograph.

Her face was scrubbed and shiny, her hair in a pony-tail;

An everyday girl, she seemed to me, a casual, passing male.

As I turned to leave I questioned her; 'What's your name?' I said.

And, suddenly, I was overwhelmed with a sense of future dread.....

'My name is Norma Jean' she replied  'I'm changing it, you know.

My new name will be so pretty........

It's Marilyn Munroe.'

*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

SINGING THE BLUES

(A Memoir)

 

When I was in High School my uniform was a terribly drab navy blue

And throwing it out for a pretty dress, well, that was a dream come true.

But things changed a lot when I went to sea and a uniform was required!

Suddenly navy became the shade that was all that my heart desired!

I'd a little peaked cap with a badge up front and epaulettes on each shoulder

And I felt so smart in my uniform: very mature, much older!

Older in quite the nicest way, a woman of the world I thought,

With high, high heels and a nipped-in waist, and a great deal of fun in port.

Now navy was fine for the colder climes, but not so good in the heat

And there came a time on every trip when the captain announced a treat.

'Whites will be worn tomorrow!' The message came over the air.

We suddenly knew we could blossom, for Whites were the thing to wear.

We still kept navy epaulettes, showing Union Castle Line,

But the Whites were so much classier when the weather was hot and fine.

And I always felt quite sorry when, on the homeward run,

The weather turned cool and wintry and clouds disguised the sun.

'All hands will wear navy tomorrow' the message was loud and clear

And you don't disobey ship's captains! You'd be thrown out on your ear!

But life was still fun in navy, both for officers and for crew

And I still remember them fondly, my days in navy-blue.
*