Annie and the Glitter Ball

More streetlife stories....with a nod to Jon Mellancamp.

 

Ancient Annie shuffles slow

Scarf wrapped tight against the snow

Swollen knuckles, graveyard cough

Shuffling, wheezing had enough.

 

Past holes in walls, flaking paint

Garish signs, fallen saints

Litter strewn against the doors

Pimps lean huddled with their w****s.

 

She takes a slug of brandy wine

Eyes closed, remembers better times.

 

From ’64 to ‘69

In silken gown and princess crown

The goddess of the whole damn town

She danced the clubs and bars.

 

She dated all the richest men

Lived like the Queen of Sheba then

She owned the city, drank for free

Was all the things she wished to be.

 

But glamour killed her in the end

Her silken gown and princess crown

Lying filthy on the ground

Body aging, falling down.

 

Eyes open, back to present time

She takes a slug of brandy wine.

 

Shuffles past her old time clubs

Broken windows, burnt out pubs

Jimmy lays there, hands on head

Cardboard box he calls his bed.

 

Annie stops, smiles down at him

He looks up, returns her grin

Reaches in his begging pot

Gives her all the coins he’s got.

 

She straightens up now Jimmy paid

The alley fades and turns to grey

Sparkling lights and glitter ball

One more dance in one more hall…

 

 

Reviews

[Mistral Bilgera]

this is a very wonderful narrative poem!!!
It affirms change, that nothing lasts forever: the beauty, richness, party life, happiness.... it is also lyrical, i guess because of the rhyme!!
it has been so long since i've read a good narrative poem like yours, i would like to congratulate you for a poem really easy to understand, something that doesn't try too hard to please, but yet, efficient in putting the message across!! good job!!!

[Wildecat]

Superb writing, a definite pleasure to read this poem.