James Foulk Poet I do not know?

1957

Laid down on the sofa today, memory

taking me back to teen years of so long ago.

When friend Danny and I would go down 

town on Saturday afternoon to see a movie

at the Paramount, a movie palace with a wide

screen, that would put the theaters of today to shame.

We saw such movies as "The True Story of Jesse James",

Gunfight at the Ok Corral", "The Incredible Shrinking Man'

and so many more.  Sometimes we would go over to Marshall's

Music room next door and play records for hours in the sound booth

upstairs, where we would listen to such stars as Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, little

Richard, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Bill Haley and the comets,

the man who started Rock ' n Roll.  Then later we would go across the street to the

City Drug and have a coke for ten cents, then catch a bus home.  Where on

Saturday night these two college students from Iowa State had a TV Show called

Graves 'n Manor, which showed monster movies until 2 in the morning, we made

some popcorn and had our Pepsi in the bottle.

Lets not forget this was the year that " Leave it to Beaver" had its start on TV

and American Bandstand and a very young Dick Clark was on Saturday afternoon.

This was the year that the New York Yankess  and the Milwaukee Braves played

in the World Series won by the Braves in seven games.

Ford put out one of the best cars ever that year, which for a time was driven by

Ward Clever on "Leave it to Beaver".  My brother who was still in the Navy came

home on leave and to our surprise had bought one and brought it home with him,

and my friend Danny and i helped my brother wash it one Saturday afternoon,

while we listend to "That'll Be the Days"  What a car, what a song, and what a great

year it was,  I could write a book about this year along.

Written 5-12-11

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Vince Suzadail Jr. July 11, 2011 at 7:07 PM I turned 11 that year. There was the Hit Parade, we had free movies once a week at the North Ward Playground, just a fabulous time to be a kid. Thanks James for a great nostalgic evening reading your poetry. Vince

Judy Konos June 2, 2011 at 2:11 PM Yes, its true. Many Memphis stories about Elvis who use to drive a truck and make deliveries to my Uncles automotive shop. Who played baseball at at age 13 with my brother who said, "Good thing he could sing couldn't play baseball worth a damn"..Kids being from the same town get to know each other...and like my brother said, Wish I had gotten to know him better! lol

Judy Konos June 2, 2011 at 7:30 AM In 1957, my friends brother Ronnie was good friends with a guy named Elvis. Peggy and I were never invited to the parties, but Ronnie was and he would come home so proud as Elvis had "traded" Ronnie his ruffled shirt for Ronnie's jacket! Ronnie always came home proud and not wearing what he had on when he went to the party! lol .. fond memories from Memphis Town

Linda-Marie Sweetheart May 24, 2011 at 8:39 PM great write James.. I was not born till 1959 but my ex husband had a 57 Chevy and it was so awesome to ride in and looked so cool.. many nice things of the era my friend.. thankxx for all your comments so kind on my body of poetry ..luv..

Zzzzz Zzzzz May 20, 2011 at 2:35 AM A warm and enthusiastic look back on a good year. I was only 9 in 1957, and being English I never saw some of the TV shows you mention...but some of the greatest films and some of the greatest music came from the '50s. I have CDs by the Everlys, Buddy Holly and many more, sitting side by side in my collection with more modern stuff. An excellent piece of prose poetry, James.

Jack Horne May 18, 2011 at 2:27 PM What lovely memories, James - I would love to read some more, as I'm sure many others would. I wasn't born til '69 so it's particularly fascinating for me.

James Fraser May 18, 2011 at 2:09 PM I so loved reading this James, many thanks for sharing a part of you. Thank you also for you always warm comments on my poetry....:)

Sara Kendrick May 18, 2011 at 2:08 PM Good job and what a great memory that you have..Enjoyed reading your work this afternoon..Thanks for stopping by and reading my work..Sara

Andrea Dietrich May 18, 2011 at 12:09 AM Hey, you feel the way about '57 as I feel about my birth year, '55. It was the birth of civil rights, Disneyland, McDonalds, Rock and Roll and Playboy(that one not so great). Although i am more a child of the 60's, I did learn of many of these things you referred to in your poem, and some of them I experienced firsthand. This is great nostalgia done eloquently. Glad you liked my country song!

Matt Hunt May 17, 2011 at 9:42 PM I sometimes feel that I'm an old spirit because I actually pine for these days. This coming from a 25 year old:) Great write James. Your work is amazing dear friend. R.M.