Part II
In Australia you
get t-shirts that say
instant arsehole
just add alcohol.
Part III
Puff the Magic Dragon
lived by the sea
and frolicked in the autumn mist
in a land called Honalee
Meet Goee Goanna
such a lovely friend
she’ll play you all the Looney tunes
till you go round the bend.
Meet Goee Goanna
closest friend of mine
she stayed with me through thick and thin
still there when I did time.
Part IV
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
My whole world is falling down
falling down, falling down
my whole world is falling down
but you paid me.
Revunger is the game we play
game we play, game we play
revunger is the game we play
pay me over.
Part V
Jack and Jill went up the hill
to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
and Jill came tumbling after
Henry and Allen went up the hill
to fetch a bucket of tears.
Henry fell in and broke his kin
and Allen joined in the years.
Part VI
We need a t-shirt that says
instant psychopath
just add amphetamines.
Part VII
Merry Christmas
on the inside
an oxymoron.
Gabe Feathers McGee 
Sorry Part I is so small but if you click on it and use the magnifying glass.
Another great piece Gabe… it sure can be a tough time of year for some, but hope that you and your family have a wonderful time. Thanks for all your support… looking forward to a big 2010!
Thanks Graham and have a great time in Tasmania.
Hi Gabrielle! Part 1 is great – is it a ‘found poem’? Whether it is or not, highly effective, and I like the follow up – especially pt5
Thanks Ashley. It’s based on a true story that happened to someone I know and Part I is the original newspaper articles, cut and pasted with some editing. I’ve always thought there was something sinister about nursery rhymes.
I like the very good and effective graphic look of part 1, perfect for an horrible story.
Christmas time is so ambivalent, good time to reflect.
I needed a face to fill in and that is the one I made in Microsoft Word – it fits in nicely with the story.
Absolutely brilliant, one of the best pieces I have read of yours, I think. Modernist.
Wow! I thought it might turn some people off, but there you go. It certainly sapped my energy in the making of. Thanks Paul.
Excellent. I have always loved a smart nursery rhyme makeover, and this makes great use of them methinks.
Thanks Brad.
Part VI was a telling one for me. I have had a family member arrested at this time of year for damage done while high on speed. It ain’t pretty. A very powerful poem.
Not pretty at all (as we were discussing with the Querulous Squirrel not long ago). It is the complete change in personality that blows me away and if you didn’t know them you would think they had been a complete waste of space all the time (which is generally not true unless they are a real psychopath).
Very powerful, disturbing and sadly contains so much truth. This very much has me feeling the same way that I did when reading ‘In Cold Blood’.
Fantastic writing and a perfect match of your words with the seeming innocence of childhood songs and rhymes…
Thanks Tracey. I’ve always been fascinated with the dark side of nursery rhymes (how they originated) and fairy tales – such a complete opposite of the cheerful tunes and surface meanings which children are hearing. I haven’t read ‘In Cold Blood’, I’ll check it out.
I second Tracey’s recommendation of In Cold Blood. And what a powerful poem. I like how you used the nursery rhymes to such eerie effect!
Thanks Thomma Lyn. I will have to get that book now – 2 recommendations.
Oh parts VI and VII–oh those pack a wallop. Oh yeah. Enjoyed your use of oxymoron too.
Thanks 47whitebuffalo. Yes, the use of oxymoron does have a nice double meaning thing happening as well.
They both got 12 years jail!
Amphetamines, Ice – instant psychopaths indeed – powerful piece, Gabrielle
Thanks bluebee 🙂
I still really love this one and can see so much truth in it, so it’s wonderful to have the chance for a re-visit at this time of year.
Thanks Tracey and I ended up buying ‘in cold blood’ because of what you and Thomma Lyn said – just haven’t read it yet (I will these holidays) 🙂
Well put and the use of nursery rhymes makes it feel like a punch, particularly because children are so affected by drug abuse via their parent’s addiction or their own immersion in that world. It’s hell when you live it as a child.
Too true Val – thanks.