The Girl with the Glasgow Grin | Teen Ink

The Girl with the Glasgow Grin

February 6, 2012
By NickyJ BRONZE, Hyde Park, New York
NickyJ BRONZE, Hyde Park, New York
1 article 0 photos 138 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” ~Robert Frost


I see the monument in the distance
And a blossom blooms in my brain.
My feet stop dead in their tracks,
Omniscient of the lots around them.
January shivers down my spine,
Unlocking a memory I want to forget;
But I see her face every-time.
She has no name.
They call her The Girl with the Glasgow Grin.

My heart beats heavy
When I think of her.
I see her:
Her laugh, her fear, her plea;
A life clipped short.
But they don't care;
She's a present to them, a mystery wrapped in enigma,
Just as the Wolf-Man sent.
She is more to me, a part of me.
Why? Why do I feel this horrific bond?
I never knew her.
I never knew The Girl with the Glasgow Grin.

My eyes haven't tricked me, time has.
I see her there, lying among the clumps of brown grass,
Arms beckoning in false exaltation,
Her dreams eaten by weeds.
The curls of her black petals,
Burnt wisps in stagnant air.
Warm skin melted to ivory;
Translucent eyes turned opaque.
They rejoice at the sight of her, the Fiends!
This is all she is to them:
The Girl with the Glasgow Grin.

They like to gossip
And libel her.
She's the gutter w*****, the flashy escort, the exotic temptress.
She's divided, stem cut.
The flower preserved in perversity,
The roots tainted by noir.
But I see her unscathed:
Sweet.
Kind.
Naïve.
Lost, trying to find her way.
What have they done to you?
You are more than what they have made you.
You are more than The Girl with the Glasgow Grin.

I know the truth
But I am just one.
I can't stop them. They won't listen.
They need only what the Wolf-Man has given.
I want to tell her it's not her fault.
I want to tell her it's okay.
But she can't hear me;
She's a memory now,
Silenced in a world where she can not speak,
Can not feel,
Can not cry her liquid tears.
What about me? I come back to myself.
I should be moving on, yet I linger
So that I might catch a glimpse
Of The Girl with the Glasgow Grin.

The author's comments:
This is the first poem I've written in six years. I'm not sure why I felt so compelled to write this. It's dark, but it has deep personal meaning to me.

This is the first in a collection of three.

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This article has 145 comments.


on Mar. 12 2014 at 4:24 pm
AloneandFree SILVER, Williamston, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 40 comments

Favorite Quote:
Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.
-Mario Fernandez

thats amazing.. you did an awesome job.. i wish i was as good as you :)

on Mar. 9 2014 at 6:43 am
Elizabethany BRONZE, Southwell, Other
3 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.

Why Glasgow?

on Feb. 26 2014 at 12:03 pm
demonkittyx_o BRONZE, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
2 articles 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Tomorrow is another day." -Gone With The Wind.

Good lord, I Love this! <3 This is amazing for not writing in so long, you have a gift and I'm looking forward to see more.

on Feb. 16 2014 at 6:25 pm
Authorintraining88 GOLD, Somewhere:p, Massachusetts
11 articles 1 photo 25 comments

Favorite Quote:
You are the universe experiencing itself

ahh I love this! So beautifuly written!

on Jan. 30 2014 at 6:27 pm
LifeLeader PLATINUM, Roanoke, Virginia
46 articles 0 photos 17 comments
I can't believe this is the first poem you have written in 6 years! You have real talent and a gift! Please keep writing!

on Jan. 27 2014 at 6:04 pm
Coulperingcircus SILVER, Stamford, Connecticut
5 articles 0 photos 5 comments
This is truelly an amazing work, you have a gift, all throughout this website I see talent but I felt trully compelled to comment on this one. I look so forward to seeing if you post at all soon, but i surly hope you do.

on Jan. 18 2014 at 5:08 pm
monkeyluvs2write GOLD, Falls Church, Virginia
11 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
“What man calls civilization always results in deserts. Man is never on the square – he uses up the fat and greenery of the earth. Each generation wastes a little more of the future with greed and lust for riches.” -- Don Marquis

This is a really good piece of poetry for someone who hasn't written in six years. You truly have a talent, and I'm glad that I came across this poem today. It's poems like these that inspire me to keep writing. If you have time please check some of my writings as well

on Dec. 26 2013 at 1:09 am
MyWriteOrDie SILVER, Memphis, Tennessee
5 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Is it just me or this is about Black Dahlia? At least that's the vibe I'm getting. Congrats on a truly awe-inspiring poem. I think I love it..

on Dec. 23 2013 at 11:41 am
Elizabeth-of-rohan PLATINUM, Abbeville, Louisiana
35 articles 0 photos 49 comments

Favorite Quote:
Pain is stronger than life, stronger than death, love, loyalty, duty.
~Essad Bey

"you are tired (i think) of the puzzle of living and doing; and so am i. come with me, then, and we’ll leave it far and far away—" - e.e. cummings

I love when I read poems that aren't just rhyming words put together, but that are stories.  This is a story, and a beautiful one. Thank you for sharing. 

on Dec. 18 2013 at 11:10 am
DemonAngel GOLD, Maricopa, Arizona
14 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
You are either dead or alive.Your heart either pumps blood or life.Our hearts pump words love life and understanding.Into our sub-conscience body for we use the hands of that body to write. -Best friend :'( RIP

Honestly, I am not usually one to comment, but I love the way you wrote this. It is so personal and heartfelt. I love the word choice and, well just everything about it. I have signed up to be email notified when you post more. I beg of yu to please post more :)

on Dec. 16 2013 at 2:05 am
TheDolphin ELITE, Iloilo, Other
210 articles 11 photos 50 comments
I love the way you wrote this poem...it was so emotional and sincere......please continue writing. I will spend my time reading for your poems. : )

on Dec. 16 2013 at 2:03 am
TheDolphin ELITE, Iloilo, Other
210 articles 11 photos 50 comments
i love the way you write......it was so emotional and sincere......please continue writing. I will spend my time reading for your poems. : )

NickyJ BRONZE said...
on Aug. 6 2012 at 6:45 pm
NickyJ BRONZE, Hyde Park, New York
1 article 0 photos 138 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” ~Robert Frost

I don't really know what to say...

Well, I have not logged on this site in a few months. I felt like I was getting nothing out of it, like there wasn't really anyone on here who cared that much for it make a difference. So I just kinda stopped checking up on here. As of then, I have been on a different site (my opinion better) which has really been good for me.

I remember you, and I'm really happy that you told me this. I got an email because of it, otherwise I would not have seen it. Thank you very much for your words, and continuing to support me after all this time.

It means a lot to me.

on Aug. 2 2012 at 6:26 pm
Kit-Kait BRONZE, Amherst, Virginia
1 article 0 photos 54 comments
Today I was in chat thinking, "Who was this? This person who had such amazing poems?". I...couldn't even remember your name (shamefully), then someone looked up this piece (after I told them what it was, cuz I would NEVER forget this wonderful piece!) and when I saw your name--it just clicked! I'm sorry I forgot you! I hope you continue writing! You're an amazing poet! Never give up! ~Love, Goldie

NickyJ BRONZE said...
on Jun. 2 2012 at 12:04 am
NickyJ BRONZE, Hyde Park, New York
1 article 0 photos 138 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” ~Robert Frost

Thank you very much for the read and the kind words. I'll be sure to check out your stuff :)

bcw095 GOLD said...
on May. 30 2012 at 10:41 pm
bcw095 GOLD, Lake Zurich, Illinois
11 articles 3 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I know why the caged bird sings." - Maya Angelou

Wonderful images that leave an impact. Bravo on your writing. When my pieces are published online, consider reading a few!

NickyJ BRONZE said...
on Apr. 27 2012 at 4:50 pm
NickyJ BRONZE, Hyde Park, New York
1 article 0 photos 138 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” ~Robert Frost

Thank You!

on Apr. 27 2012 at 4:48 pm
MonicaSkittles BRONZE, My Town, Indiana
2 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Although when there were too many people around-which there certainly were today-it was hard even to remember to say thank you: all those people were like drowning."-
Robin Mckinley; Pegasus

Very very good!!!!!

NickyJ BRONZE said...
on Apr. 26 2012 at 4:55 pm
NickyJ BRONZE, Hyde Park, New York
1 article 0 photos 138 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” ~Robert Frost

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it x]

DanielM. said...
on Apr. 26 2012 at 4:51 pm
That was amazing. Great Job!! i really enjoyed the message that your putting towards. Awesome Message. Please don't stop writing your an awesome writer. And you have talent. Remember that okay.