She had a greed for speed,
amphetamine avarice,
barefaced wildness
and her name was Alice.
Her sandpaper voice
was a relentless screech,
a tidal swash and swill
that echoed down the beach.
Alice tripped through life
in a sanguine reverie,
believing that the fourth rule
would keep her spirit free.
She didn’t give zilch
for petty regulations:
she smoked in public places
and slept in crowded stations.
She wore a velvet dress,
fur coat, no underwear –
Amphetamine Alice
didn’t have a care.
One day she grew up
and opened her eyes,
middle-aged Alice
had a big surprise:
the world had changed
and so had she,
she had wrinkly skin
and was no longer free.
Kim M. Russell, 2016
Image found on Pinterest
My response to Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Wordle #134 “December 19th, 2016”
writing in north norfolk 
Interesting poetry, Kim. It had me reflect on the meaning of the fourth rule; to act as if something is true until proven otherwise. As we grow into life, childhood innocence is certainly transformed. As we age, dreams can come true with wrinkly skin. ❤
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Olga!
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This made me think of some of the poetry of Shel Silverstein, as sung by the early Dr. Hook… Sad when even Alice is lost like this.
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I only know a few poems by Shel Silverstein. I based the poem on someone I knew who thought drugs would make her immortal. Sad.
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Very sad… the most famous song written by Shel is Ballad of Lucy Jordan, and it was actually first recorded by dr Hook and he Medicine Show…
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Did Marianne Faithful do a version?
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Absolutely… much more famous..
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I loved the progression in this one Kim…well done great use of the words…
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Thanks, Michael.
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the world had changed
and so had she,
she had wrinkly skin
and was no longer free
such a telling ending — go ask Alice when she’s 65.
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🙂
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Such a sad, heady trip for Alice.
Still, a Marvelous, Marvelous verse. 🌹🌹🌹
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A tale so well penned. It’s not always happy endings. Alice by the pool as Narcissus, only seeing what she wants to see of herself, is the perfect image for your write.
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Thank you so much for your appreciative comment, Raivenne. You’ve made my day. 😊
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This is brilliant!
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Thank you, Tersea! Happy Christmas!
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