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Shirley Birley Poem -Alan j Wright

 Last week I wrote about Ronny Wunders, a recurring character in my poetry. I also made mention of Shirley Birley and fellow poet, Patricia Franz,  expressed an interest in knowing more about her.  An introduction seems more than appropriate, I feel. 

So I searched the poetry vault and discovered Shirley conveneiently located in a collection of poems about quirky characters...

I consciously created this poem with short lines to add pace to the reading and to portray the busy nature of Shirley's life. 










Shirley Birley

 Shirley Birley

Hair quite curly

Starts her morning

Bright and early.

Shirley Birley

Never surly

Enters the city’s hurly burly.

She rides her bicycle

Rings her bell

Passers by

Wish her well.

Into the city

Shirley ventures

Passing folk

Asleep on benches.

To the factory

Shirley’s winging

Arrives for work

Cheerfully singing.

Shirley dons her uniform

And every day

She does perform.

Makes her workmates

Cups of tea

And each day

Does it happily.

Shirley Birley

Hair quite curly

Starts her morning

Bright and early.

Alan j Wright

It is Poetry Friday and our host this time is Jone Rush MacCulloch. Jone has written an ode to Candy Corn, a favourite of her mothers. 

 

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  1. Michelle Kogan30 October 2026 at 11:09

    Ah, Alan "Shirley Birley" is absolutely delightful!!! I'd love a cup of tea from her and I hope she reappears again! Such a lively, lovely poem and terrific rhythm, and pic too, thanks! I read it out loud and am still smiling ☺️

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