Vince Suzadail Jr. Poet Narrative

Eighth Grade

1960 and the world was changing
A time for living and rearranging
Baseball in the school yard with a sponge ball and a fist
Donnie Brooks sang Mission Bell and Chubby did The Twist
Bobbie sox and ponytails, school dances were so much fun
Johnny Preston’s Running Bear. I loved the theme from Peter Gunn
A young senator from Boston was in the presidential race
Marty sang El Paso and there was a theme from A Summer Place
Mr. Custer and Alley Oop were fun songs to listen to
While Elvis said It’s Now or Never and also Stuck on You
Ford came out with the Edsel. Remember the unsinkable Molly Brown.
Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool even Cathy’s Clown
We had air raid warnings and marbles in our pockets
Movies in the park and Cape Canaveral shooting rockets
Gable and Monroe in the Misfits, Perry Mason on TV
And the Drifters were singing Save the Last Dance for Me.
There was a draft to serve our country and we were always ready
A time for holding hands and a time for going steady
Kirk Douglas was Spartacus and Burt was Elmer Gantry
Pies were made from scratch and there were apples in the pantry
Larry Hall sang Sandy and Bobby Rydell wailed Wild One
O Dio Mio From Annette. She and Frankie had so much fun
Lonely Blue Boy by Conway Twitty and Bobby’s Beyond the Sea
Duane twanged Because they’re Young and the Everly’s Let it be Me
Those days are precious memories that I hope will never fade
The world was so much kinder then and I was in eighth grade.

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Margaret Okubo December 7, 2008 at 9:42 AM Beautiful memories. They keep us going especially during challenging moments. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem. Many thanks for your kind comments on my poems.

James Foulk November 11, 2008 at 10:49 AM I was in the eight grade in 1958, but i was two grades behind everyone. 1960 was good for some things but not all. My dog shep died after having him nine years, I got kicked out of Jr. high in 9th grade, and then 5 mo later got kicked out of 10th grade but it was good besides that as was this wonderful poem down memory lane.

Juliane Thomas November 10, 2008 at 4:18 AM I love history, and this poem really captured the flavor of the era. Great poem, and thank you so much for your comment on my poem, Christmas with Pets!

Janetta Harrington November 7, 2008 at 3:16 PM vince, you are a great piece of work, as we say here in arkansas. i loved this poem. each line took me back to everything we talked about. you know i was married barely 18 and i remember conway twitty on the block behind us in conway, ar. we all were griping how that stupid band was making us miss sleep. then as tme does go i was visiting nurse to martys' aunt in rogers, ar. mom had a crush on him. yes, those were the days. smile, janetta

Kristin Reynolds November 6, 2008 at 6:25 PM My mother was 8 yrs old in 1960, so this would have been her time, i wish I could have known that innocent time...lovely write V, you always get me wistful. love Kristin

Christopher Higgins November 6, 2008 at 4:58 PM That was such a different time, It meant different things for different people. I glad this was a fond time for the voice in this poem.

Sharon Winter November 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM Well I think that was the First grade for me, but corny as it sounds, I was twisting with my older brother who (thankfully) never let the music stop. I still think I could sing many of those songs, remembering every single word. Life was so sweet then, and so simple. It's always so great to go back with your 'blast from the past' poems. Love, Shar

Ronald Bingham November 6, 2008 at 3:27 PM Wow, Hammer Down those were the tunes, That's back when rock and roll was rock and roll. I think I was in the seventh grade not too far behind you. Loved this trip down memory lane, Thanks Ron

Carrie Richards November 6, 2008 at 3:26 PM Thank you Vince, for always taking me back to some of my fondest memories! Those movies, those songs...sigh! I'd still rather listen to those little 45's, and watch TCM movies, than anything that's out there today...maybe people find that old fashioned...but it was plain and simple..there is a loss of innocence in today's world. God Bless, thanks again for the memories! :) Carrie

Mohammad Yamin November 6, 2008 at 2:37 PM Vince, What a beautiful poem and I must commend your remarkable memory. Good old days of sixties. It will never be as good as that. I have still preserved some of the LPs of that period includding one of Chubby Checker -I treasure them. Thanks for your invaluable commnts on my Ghazal The Sea of Meaning. I believe that poems such as yours may contribute to intil morality in the hearts of people and create urge to build a society where virtues are valued and not wealth and affluence. -Mohammad

Michael Torres November 6, 2008 at 2:29 PM Vince another great lost in the memories of the old days so true and wonderful. Different era's mean so much to those that can relate to them. I remember the Eagles and hula hoop and frisbees, 1970 chevelle SS wow Vince now you got me reminiscing I love when you write like this. You have fond memories it's too bad we cant go back in time. God bless you Vince. Love Michael Torres

Sean Kelly November 6, 2008 at 12:24 PM Yup , Vince , this is going to ring a few bells with us settled-lot , on the site .... You've nailed this one spot-on , so may I say ; write onnnnnn .....