READY TEDDY
Minors with major
attitude, back when
Betty Page assurance met
Edwardian drag chic
Teddy Girls, they looked sharp
Teddy Girls, they were sharp
As they cut you down to size
with a casual look in their eyes
But underneath the lipstick façade,
faces full of grace
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Imaginary Garden With Real Toads gave us a Teddy Girls prompt last week. These girls were the Brit spin on Teddy Boys, who looked like very early pix of John Lennon: greasy, front-flopped hair; leather jackets; and jeans. In the States, we called ’em “greasers.”
Teddy Girls were the sassy ones – some probably the lesbian ones as well – and they hung on until the next style came. Too bad this “British invasion” never caught on in the States, because I quite like the look! Missed the original ‘Toads’ prompt, but that’s what dverse Open Mic Night is for. Peace and blood-red lipstick, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Audrey Howitt
I love the close–yes–so full of grace—I might have been out there with the (if I were very lucky)
Sharp Little Pencil
I would, too, Audrey. Looks like they had a lot of fun and a shared identity, like a non-gang.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
Cool girls… love that they had the grace beneath the grease (sorry) … cool poetry about something i had not heard about.
Sharp Little Pencil
Bjorn, I knew about Teddy Boys thanks to being a student of John Lennon’s beginnings, but these were new characters to me as well. Had to dig a bit to catch the vibe. Rebel, rebel! Amy
Laurie Kolp
Minors with major attitudes… why does that not surprise me? Such a cute picture…
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha, yeah, these girls were as young as 14, running the streets… amazed their moms and dads could keep up with them. But they were so war-weary, I think they just looked at it as their kids having a bit of fun…
brian miller
ha. they def have the tude….and i guess we all did…maybe that is why i am a high school teacher now…this is penance…hahaha…dang it, i knew that would catch up to me…
Sharp Little Pencil
“Welcome back… your dreams were your ticket out…” Welcome Back, Miller. The sweathogs await!!
Gemma Wiseman
So love the bold opening lines. And agree with Brian. My high school students could be clones. But I still love ’em.
Sharp Little Pencil
I barely made it out of high school, and I so admire teachers. Still friends with a few of my former instructors. Glad the attitude was right in my poem! Amy
Mary
I love their attitude really and think it is time to revive the teddy girls. They definitely had pizzazz!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Unfortunately, Teddy Girls appear to have been replaced by groups of girls at the mall, ooing and aaahing over crap at Claire’s! These girls had real stuff, they remind me of Riley and her crew, who hang out in cafes and libraries, reading Bukowski and drinking black coffee!
shanyns
Love it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Shanyn!
Susan L Daniels
Too bad they never caught on here…Really enjoyed the read.
Sharp Little Pencil
I think a lot of us would have been BRILL Teddy Girls! Thx, Susan.
markwindham
angels in devil’s drab…
Sharp Little Pencil
Or Dickie’s Drag!
kimnelsonwrites
Fops and fancies, you made me love ’em all, Amy. Your way with words makes me happy. I have missed you. I am glad to read you here, now. Blessings to you, gifted friend.
Katie (@PunkRockPoet84)
Nice!! I liked this one a lot!! Cool imagery!! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Seeing as you’re into punk, this one must have been fun. Go check out the other Teddy Girl poems on that link!! Amy
Victoria C. Slotto
You gotta love sassy. You told this story well, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Victoria. Lots of Toads enjoyed this prompt!
georgefloreswrite
Love the attitude here!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, George. Teddy girls were ALL about the ‘tude! A
Amrit Sinha
Loved it … this was fun to read.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Amrit. So many of my posts are heavy going, so this was a fun write. Glad you felt the same way…
Roger Green
Knew about the Teddy Boys, less about the Teddy Girls; interesting stuff.
Sharp Little Pencil
I knew NOTHING of their existence before this prompt, and I loved the history. Thanks, Roger, A
apoetryman
What a fantastic image painted so well with your words ~ and what a time to have lived. My thanks
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for visiting – coming to your blog now! Amy
grapeling
liked this a lot, Amy : ) ~ M
Rowan Taw
I really like the image you give us of them – that you have looked beyond the skin.
Sharp Little Pencil
I wore a tough mask for years, Rowan….
El Guapo
That look is timeless.
Another great piece, and the rhthym enhanced it for me, as it often does.
Gay Reiser Cannon
I like this poem. I was vaguely aware of those Teddy Boys but I like your articulation of the “style” and grace here. I love those Brits!!! It feels like home to me.
Eusebeia Philos
“looked sharp…were sharp…” yeah, very cool…cutting their own style…love the words you put to this photo….and the close, having grace while doing their own thing, is nice.
Grace
You captured their look and spirit Amy ~ Sharp chic but full of style & grace ~
Sharp Little Pencil
Thx for the compliment, Grace! Amy
ed pilolla
big, bold and graceful attitude. piercing in its connection with the dated black and white images.
jeepwalters
A jovial romp, Amy. The Lennon reference was perfect, as he was referred to at times as a “Teddy Boy”. The mood was spot on!
Pamela
I love sassy, Amelita, and I love your verse to go along with the pic. Muy bueno.
Saludos,
Pamelita
Beth Winter
I want to be one 🙂 Well written and a fun mood.