Ann Perry > Quotes

“Women are as brave as any man. They save their own without a second thought. But that's love isn't it? Loyalty. Women never give up, not when it's someone they love. Many a child wouldn't be here if they did.”
― Ann Perry

“All human life must be regarded as sacred, or one's own may be endangered as well.”
― Ann Perry

“Disillusionment [is] one of the deepest of human wounds.”
― Ann Perry

“A Party for New Year (for Lily and Maisie, the ladies what lunch.)

Dear Lily,
I have bought something frilly,
to wear on New Year’s Eve.
You may think it sounds rather silly,
and, what I tell you, you will never believe.

I met a woman in Primark, I know,
not my normal shop.
Just heard so much about it
inside I had to pop.

Well, the top I purchased, sparkles.
The frills upon it abound.
This woman I met in the changing room.
On me, she said it looked sound.

It's very, very silver you know.
A little bit like Lametta.
Oh Lily, I feel quite aglow.
On no one could it look any better.

Dear Maisie,
Things are looking a bit hazy.
A silver top, for New Year.
Are you really, really that crazy?
My word, you batty old dear.

I'm wearing my old faithful.
The black dress, with the gold trim.
It's not like we’re doing anything special.
In fact proceedings sound quite grim.

Sitting on your old sofa
With a Baileys, if I'm lucky.
Watching the same old things on the box.
I'm not excited Ducky.

I want to be in the city
and feel the atmosphere.
It really is a pity
that you want to stay right here.

Dear Lily.
Now you are being silly.
What about your knees?
Standing about, feeling chilly,
and moaning you're going to freeze.

Much better to stay indoors
and watch a music show.
We'll get the bongs at midnight.
This you very well know.

I don't have any Baileys.
You drank it Christmas Day.
But I found some cooking sherry.
I want that out of the way.

I even have some nibbles,
so come on, what do you say?
We'll have us a little party.
Bring your nightie and then you can stay.

Dear Maisie,
Do you remember Daisy?
Her with the wart on her ear.
She thinks she'd like to join us
to celebrate New Year.

Do we really want her with us?
She's quite a moaning Minnie.
She always makes such a fuss.
I'd hoped she'd celebrate with Winnie.

I think I will come over Lil'.
I'll even bring the wine.
We really should start taking turns.
Next year, you can come to mine.

We'll have a great time, you and me.
Go out in the cold? No fear.
We'll be fine indoors, just you see.
Friends together, celebrating New Year.”
― Ann Perry, Flora, Fauna, Fairies and other Favourite Things

“Poppy Pink is a unicorn, but not just any unicorn. She is a member of the Pinkerton Manor family of unicorns.
She was indeed a vision as she stepped from her transport.
Poppy Pink is pink all over, but her mane and tail are the purest white and so soft and silky. Her hooves are silver and look like dancing shoes, and they match her sparkling, silver, spiralled horn.
'Oh Poppy,' gasped Oona. 'You look beautiful.'
'I know I do Oona. I suppose you don't look too bad either… for a dragon.'
Poppy Pink was a snob, and there wasn't anyone, unicorn or dragon, who was better than her. Well, she was a third generation Pinkerton Manor unicorn, and Pinkerton Manor was only the biggest Manor House in the county.
How could anyone possibly be better?
Poppy Pink looked down at her feet. They were very muddy.
'Ugh, look at my beautiful, shiny, hooves Oona,' whined Poppy Pink. 'We don't have mud at Pinkerton Manor, even when it rains.'
Poor Oona Orange-Blackspot looked downhearted. 'So sorry Poppy. I wish it hadn't rained for your visit.'
'So do I,' sniffed Poppy Pink. 'I find this weather very tiresome. It never rains enough to cause mud at Pinkerton Manor.”
― Ann Perry, The Dragon Sanctuary

“LAST NIGHT IN THE CITY
Written in the style of Andrew Fusek Peters…… by Charlotte Eden Aged 9. My granddaughter

Last night I saw the city boasting.
Fat and ugly office blocks gloated
over poor and empty parking lots,
and conceited takeaways mocked
the fish and chip shops

Last night I saw the city sleeping.
The sun, as hot as an oven, began
to rest its brightness,
and the moon awoke from
his deep slumber.

Last night I saw the city breathing.
Airports inhaled the landing planes,
while cars wheezed in the
Cold, frosty night.

Last night I saw the city crying.
The gleaming stars poured from
the night sky, and landed
in a cracked, glass puddle.

Last night I saw the city chuckling.
Owls laughed at the bats’ jokes,
while hedgehogs made fun of the
hibernating squirrels.

Last night I saw the city performing.
The thin trees danced in the puffing wind,
and the stars put on a show
in the moonlight.

Charlotte Eden
June 2016. Copyright”
― Ann Perry, Mirror on the World: Poetic Reflections

“There was a Chinese Dragon for a short time too. No one could say his name and he insisted on Sweet and Sour Pork for every meal. It got very expensive. Fortunately, a Chinese couple who owned a wok, fell in love with him. They took him home with them, and he is now spoilt rotten. They even wrote a cookery book for other Chinese Dragon owners: A Hundred Ways to Cook Sweet and Sour Pork. That was a great success.”
― Ann Perry, The Dragon Sanctuary

“Ooh, I'm very hungry,' said Gerty Green dragon to her sister, Greta.
'Ooh, me too,' said Greta Green dragon to her sister, Gerty. 'Let's have our picnic. What did you bring for us to eat? Ooh, I hope there's Lime jelly.'
Greta was very excited, and she began to look around for a suitable picnic spot.
'I didn't bring the picnic,' said a very dismayed Gerty Green dragon. 'I thought you were bringing it, Greta.'
Greta Green dragon was distraught. 'But I thought you did Gerty.'
A big, fat tear rolled down Greta Green dragon's cheek.
A big, fat tear rolled down Gerty Green dragon's cheek.
'Waaaaagghhh.' They both cried in unison.
'Now what shall we do?'
The twin green dragons sat on the grass verge at the side of the dusty lane and cried. They cried, and cried, and cried.”
― Ann Perry, The Dragon Sanctuary

“Benny Blue dragon was lying in the sunshine. He had just finished eating his dinner. He was feeling very full. Well you would after three helpings of corned beef and caterpillar stew, not to mention the broccoli and the rather smelly blue cheese.
He was settling himself down very comfortably on the lush, fresh smelling, green grass. A doze after dinner is always welcome.
As Benny Blue was dropping off into his dragon-like slumber, he felt a little discomfort, and it was somewhere at the end of his very long tail. He twitched his tail, and settled back down.
There it was again. Benny Blue flicked his tail harder. Whatever was irritating him would have to stop now – except it didn't.
Benny Blue was getting cross. Nothing should come between a dragon and his after dinner nap.”
― Ann Perry, The Dragon Sanctuary

“She's nowt spesh, didn't even have any ornaments. All her walls were painted white, no wallpaper, just black and white photos in black frames, big things they were. There was no carpet on the floor, bare floorboards and she could only afford to have one flower in a vase. Who buys just one flower Lil? Bit of a cheapskate if you ask me. All top show and no knickers, I reckon.”
― Ann Perry, The Gin Queens

“I asked why her Jeffrey was seeing a man in a dress shop. Perhaps he thought it was time his mother wore a dress was my first thought, Lil. Gertie said that was the job he did. Then the penny dropped. I asked her if Jeffrey was homosexual. I only whispered the word, Lil, I didn't shout it out loud. She said he was gay. She wants to take a closer look at her Jeffrey. He may, or may not, be homosexual, but there's nothing gay about him. He's as miserable as sin.”
― Ann Perry, The Gin Queens

“My words are my wings.
They send me soaring.
My words are my wings,
and, I hope, never boring”
― Ann Perry