Ken Russel, The last of the Teddy Girls (1950-1960)
after work, i'm ditching my dress
& wearing this velvet tie & rolled-up pants
i'm hanging out with my girls
& we're going to have a good time
we've booked ourselves a table corner
to share gossip & music & chocolate bars
then we'll turn the town, slick & dandy,
with flat shoes, tailored coats flying, hair astray,
the men can snicker all they want
but we girls have secrets we aren't sharing:
we're peeling away boundaries & setting
the sky as our limit while strutting
cheeky as can be, rebellion a cool style
when you're running with Teddy girls
Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Teddy Girls- They were working class young women who dressed in neo-Edwardian fashions. The Teddy Girls were the first British female youth subculture and have remained historically almost invisible.
Shared with Poetry Pantry
Shared with Poetry Pantry
Peel away! First the work clothes, then the sugar cravings, and then the social gaps to equality, and then ... who knew revolution could be so much fun?
ReplyDeleteAs long as its not bloody, fine with me ~ Thanks Susan ~
DeleteI agree. Your poem keeps growing on me. All teen girls everywhere, maybe even me for a moment of solidarity ...
DeleteLove this stylish rebellion. I think we could learn from them..Thanks for taking part in the challenge!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely challenge Susie ~
Delete"we're peeling away boundaries & setting the sky as our limit" — yessss! I can relate to that. I'm glad young women did start standing up for themselves when I was still a little girl, so I got to grow up on the leading edge of WimzLib.
ReplyDeleteK
Thanks Kay ~ When I look back now I can't imagine why we never wore pants & suits, they are comfy than skirts ~
Deletebut we girls have secrets we aren't sharing:
ReplyDeleteI think that you have captured the essence of these girls in this single line.
Thanks Kerry ~
DeleteI love this, Grace. I like the spirit of the "Teddy girls." They look like they are having a wonderful time!! This poem made me smile,
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary ~
Deleteha. i like the sass in this...the freedom and the empowerment as well....go get them and dont look back...rebellion with flare....sorry i missed this yesterday...somehow in hanging out with my boys i missed it....
ReplyDeleteNo worries Brian ~ Thanks always for the visit and support ~
Deletegirl power
ReplyDeletegirl power
ReplyDeletemade me smile. powerful :)
ReplyDeleteGreat energy and mood in this poem! I like this!
ReplyDeleteThis is just full of sass and I loved it. Reminds me of stories my mother would tell of times when women were always supposed to be in dresses, heels, and stockings.
ReplyDeletePeel each thing away and fun and fancy free one can play. Until the next day, when back we go to the work bay
ReplyDeleteloved the historical info, Grace
ReplyDeleteYou have found the precursors to the women's movement that began in the 60's and 70's. I loved the innocence of your poem and depiction of what may have been a gentler time!
ReplyDeleteThe very first para touched the chord....and this went till the last.Great energy and spirits depicted here...mesmerizing teddy girls :)
ReplyDeleteLovely...
This is "cool." I can even see you - some time ago. What a marvelous picture.
ReplyDeleteyes, the men often laugh...it is a defense against those secrets they will never know
ReplyDeleteThe first British female youth subculture - sound like my kinda gals!
ReplyDeleteI had not heard about this until I read the prompt--very cool write and very cool idea for a prompt!
ReplyDeleteSeems as if you have definitely captured their essence!
ReplyDeleteI felt a nice cadence as I read this...really enjoyable,
ReplyDeletesort of musical...probably un-Teddy like..too sweet.
You, in my thinking nicely captured the essence of the
time and the Teddy girls.
Thank you,
Siggi
Grace, I like strutting rhythm of poem,as if selecting the rocks to throw...:)
ReplyDeleteI need to share this with my daughter. She will love it! As always, thank you! Have a beautiful week!!
ReplyDeleteGrins, Grace - you caught the picture with your pen ~ M
ReplyDeleteAh..this reminds me of my not-so secret longing - a time out with female friends. Even when a husband is great, the company of best friends is special and different. For one, it is nicer to chat with female friends about certain things. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh those days of freedom and enjoyment when all was an adventure. Perhaps it is never too late!! Great work,
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletelove this freedom and the line 'but we girls have secrets we aren't sharing:'
nicely done.
...well their styles are bouncing back today... and hey, women are more powerful & dominating nowadays i guess... in my opinion girls are always complicated and now...with secrets...ha... smiles... peace...
ReplyDeleteAh, their secrets... the most intriguing part of any of us women! I wish I had been around then, both the time and in Britain! Nicely done, hon. Amy
ReplyDeleteFreedom has a path to it named rebellion.
ReplyDelete