Gershon Wolf Poet Ballad

Ballad of the College Kids

The college kids were gathered around
   Listening to the latest stereophonic sounds
Speakers booming their tunes and melodies  
   Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Doors and Bee Gees  

Sweet scent of cheap hemp filled the air
   It was Friday night, nobody cared
'bout quizzes, tests, exams or papers
   The night was young: time for drug-fueled capers  

Where to go?  What to do?  Gotta move!  Gotta be--
   Where the action is! Where it's happenin,' man!  
On the prowl for a quickie, for a one-night stand
   At anonymous bars, dens of debauchery 
 
They moved in packs of conformist thought  
   Jocks or thespians, wimps or nerds
 Frat-boys or hippies -- bearded, hirsute, absurd --
   Stoned or drunk, immorality they sought

When in walked a man who silenced that den 
   Five stripes on his sleeve, a steel slab for a chin 
He stared hard at them; they shrank from him
   A general's general, on loan from Vietnam
 
He smelled the cheap hemp and the two-bit beer 
   Muttered an imprecation: "I'm out of here."
Then he pointed at those trembling college pickins:  
   "You're as weak as kittens, as yellow as chickens ...
 
If you want to grow up; if real men you'd like to be  
   ~ Come fight for your country in the jungles of 'Nam with me."

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James Horn August 3, 2018 at 10:22 AM Always think of George Gershwin when I see your name. Went to college on GI Bill and received BA in 1967 and 1976 for a MA under GI Bill. Been writing poems since I was 15 years old and my dad was killed on Aircraft Carrier Intrepid now in New York Harbor. Gershon Wolf August 3, 2018 at 1:36 PM Hey, James! First and foremost, I know it's almost 75 years now, but I'm sorry that you had to lose your dad to the Japs, at the same time that I'm sure you're proud of him for making the greatest sacrifice … My dad survived WW2 intact. He didn't qualify for combat duty because of a number of physical issues, but he wanted to fight the Germans and the Japanese … I myself "only" served briefly in the Israeli Army. Tough stuff, that … At any rate, thanks for weighing in on this one. Appreciated. ~ Gershon

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart August 3, 2018 at 7:04 AM My word bank account is low today. Engaging pen my friend! xomo Gershon Wolf August 3, 2018 at 1:30 PM Your bank account is a blank account. Time to float a bond or two, like governments do … Ha, Ha. Borrow, borrow, borrow … :) gw

Tom Cunningham August 3, 2018 at 2:32 AM Well written verse Gershon, could just picture them the look of horror that their party might be over. Tom Gershon Wolf August 3, 2018 at 1:29 PM Perfect! That's how I wanted it to register. Thank you SO much for the feedback, Tom!! Best wishes, gw

Michelle Faulkner August 2, 2018 at 11:05 PM Such a vivid story, perhaps a true one? Gershon Wolf August 2, 2018 at 11:21 PM Thank you, Michelle. … And yes, perhaps it is true. :) gw