JOURNEY INTO ELDERHOOD: It's a journey with many stops along the way and enriched by the people I meet. So, stop in and visit. You're welcome...
13 March 2014
Times They Were A Changing
It started suddenly at fifteen,
him stretched out on the rug
his ear next to the Hi- Fi speaker
listening to a different kind of music,
it sounded just this side of dangerous- Fever,
Don't, I Beg You, Great Balls of Fire, Hand Jive-
Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry.
1958, I was twelve, on my own verge, stepped over brother's body,
his eyes closed, transported to places I'd not yet gone
but I studied him like an instruction manual
and took in the music's messages. Things were changing
in one house on Rockland Ave. with oldest son, for sure,
middle daughter alerted who whispered cautionary tales to youngest brother,
one young man shifted, one girl altered, acculturated to the larger social upset.
Posted for Kerry at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads who asked us to write about a flashback moment. This strong memory from 1958 presaged my awakening in the turbulence of the 60's.
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You created a flashback for me! I saw Jerry Lee Lewis live (pounding away on his white piano) in 1959! Almost eighteen, thought I was SO sophisticated! Great job, Mary.
ReplyDeleteIt was a whole new world!
DeleteThat is a great flashback to a moment of calm before the storm.
ReplyDeleteJust that moment of realization that starts to change it all.
DeleteThis is so well-expressed, Mary. Your lines are tight, not a wasted word, and what a turn of phrase!
ReplyDeleteI studied him like an instruction manual.
Such flashbacks remind us who we are and why.
Thanks, Kerry. He was two years ahead of me but I was a quick study. This was a great prompt.
DeleteWhat stunning imagery to catch the moment!
ReplyDeleteI can see it so clearly in my mind's eye.
Deletejust this side of dangerous...music catches the feel of the moment and also acts like gas on already simmering fires of change....i like the studying him like an instruction manual as well...
ReplyDeleteIt was so different from what we had listened to up to then. Music led and documented that sea change.
DeleteWhat a great post this is. I resonated with it completely, although it was a little different for me. Fats Domino the cutting edge, Elvis being almost too much to believe in... you captured it perfectly for me. Thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteImagine Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis in one year! No wonder we sat up and took notice.
DeleteYou have really brought those times to life. Music tells SO much about a generation, doesn't it??
ReplyDeleteI came of age in the sixties, so yes to your question.
DeleteHow closely we watch our elder siblings when growing up...they teach us without even realizing it...love your ending line
ReplyDeleteI watched my brother realizing something was changing and it began mine.
DeleteNice, Mary. Not hunky dory events, but nicely told.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days, I have a Senryū set poem about learning sessions. The second part was in the first grade, down on the storm cellar steps at school.
Fading Memories
some memories fade
barely recall Sat night baths
with my little sis
some thoughts can recall
show me yours I'll show you mine
saith first grade girl friend
http://jimmiehov6.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-single-impression-fading-memories.html
..
There's so much said and so much not said and I like that...this is balanced well...the flashback and the present. Well done!
ReplyDelete