Across the course of our lives we can expect many significant moments. Some directly impact our lives, while others happen on the world stage and impact indirectly. Sometimes, we recall exactly where we were and what we were doing at a precise moment in time. Our recall often remains crystal clear on these events and not others. It is amazing the memories we retain. We often hear the question -where were you when...?
This poem is a narrative poem in a docu-poetry style. It forms part of a collection of anthology of poems I am writing celebrating events that occurred during my fortunate teenage years growing up in the semi rural town of Monbulk situated in the Dandenong Ranges approximately 60 kilometres from the city of Melbourne. This poem contains a sense of history and nostalgia. Reference has also been to certain items which with the passing of year have become obsolete.
You will note a few Australian references have been included. Hope my poem prompts your memory regarding events significant to you, wherever you are in this big, wide world.
If There’s Anything
That You Want
The school bus
Makes its final
afternoon stop
Outside the
Mechanics Institute
Everyone bar the bus-driver
Clambered off
Most headed home
Me and Splinter
Decide on a Milk Bar
visit
Before the short
homeward bound walk
Change jingles in our pockets
We hear the call of
confectionary
Chocolate bullets
Eight-a- penny
Sixpence hits the
counter
And Mr Taylor fills
a white paper bag
With sweet, sugary
sustenance
For each of us…
That’s when it hits
Music rises up
From the recently
installed jukebox
A song fills the
shop
Rousing
Something dazzling
and harmonically appealing
I find myself jump
started
It is hard not to
wonder
The lyrics, simple,
clear
The music effortless
Floating into my
ears
Haunting me
And from a different
place
Fresh new sounds
Ring out falsetto
trills
Repeating lyrics
With
love from me to you
These voices sing.
Splinter beside me
We walk to the
jukebox
Investigating with intent...
-The Beatles
From
Me To You
And in that brief
moment of discovery
our teenage lives
-and our collective
musical history
Is forever changed
By a chance
encounter
At Taylor’s Milk Bar.
©Alan j Wright
It is once again, Poetry Friday. Our host this week is Mary Lee Hahn. Mary Lee shares a villanelle poem among other matters poetic. Visit Mary Lee for ideas and access to a host of other poetry pages.
Oh, how fun. So specific and yet--universal. Music can do that for us. And, candy can too! You've stirred some memories for me of choosing candy at the counter. I just may have to write about that.
ReplyDeleteI love the nickname Splinter, the paper bag full of sustenance and the way we know that this was in the past.
You're spot on Linda. While there is a specificity to the experience, the theme is universal. The sudden realization that something quite special has taken place. The nickname, Splinter, my younger friend came from the fact that he was the youngest of four siblings and his father just happened to own a Timber and Hardware business. The poem is without a doubt nostalgic with references to things no longer in common use, but it also documents a small piece of history. Thanks for you response.
DeleteWhat a moment! There are songs that take me straight back to childhood, but I don't think a song ever shifted my life the way this one did yours.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a moment Mary Lee and that is no doubt why I recall it so clearly. For me music has been a strong life thread. Splinter became an accomplished singer/guitarist and I occasionally got to perform with his band. He used to do a fantastic rendition of the Beatles, 'Rocky Raccoon.' Such musical influences for both of us.
DeleteAlan, what a great post and one of those moments in history poems. Yes, indeed, it does bring images to mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise. I'm glad my somewhat nostalgic and historic words conjured up images.
DeleteI've shown pictures of jukeboxes to my granddaughters who don't quite understand the excitement of them, with their phones & Spotify so easily accessed! Love this 'turning', a sweet memory of after school stuff, then the profound discovery for you, "forever changes/by a chance encounter".
ReplyDeleteThe path of music across the decades has brought incredible changes to how we access the sounds we wish to hear Linda. Thank you for your response. As you point out, a routine in our day, suddenly transitioned into a memorable moment. Isn't that the way it goes sometimes?
DeleteWe used different coin (and language, actually) - but those bags of lollies at the corner store will always be a favourite childhood memory for me. We'd be visiting my grandparents, and it was a walk (or ride) around the block. (But watch out for the chihuahuas if you took the short way!)
ReplyDeleteAh Kat, a child of the decimal age...The bag of lollies was a universal rite of passage we do share though. Negotiating the neighbourhood was always an interesting challenge when we were young. Avoiding chihuahuas and other monstrous beasts- human and otherwise required strategic planning.
DeleteI LOVED jukeboxes. There was one at the pizza place of my childhood, and it was so much fun to listen to songs while you waited the eternity it took for your pizza to be ready. I'm going to send your poem to my dad, who was probably struck by the Beatles as much as you were.
ReplyDeleteJukeboxes were joyful containers Tabatha. No doubt about that. So pleased my poem is going on a further journey. Hope your dad enjoys the moment- 'Oh I get by with a little help from my friends...'
DeleteThanks for capturing the moment!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome Ruth. Moments need to be savoured.
DeleteWhat a vivid scene you've painted for us! Enticing our senses with the description of sweets and the sound of the music. Thanks for sharing this memory with us!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Elisabeth. I'm pleased my words prompted a response. Sweets and senses indeed.
DeleteThis poem has me longing for the candy of my youth, Bit-O-Honey. And swoon, The Beatles. I am there hearing the music. I love the name of your friend, Splinter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining me on this nostalgic journey Jone. Splinter's Nick name is a cracker!
Delete