Generation Gap

It might be called Electrifying Pink,
that color painted on her toes
for it glows amidst the grime of her feet
winding filth up around her ankles
as if dirt were the newest chain
to make a fashion statement.

Pink does move the eye away
from all the silver hanging off eyebrow,
nose, lip, ear and yes,
she speaks with a silver tongue ...
which has taken on a whole new meaning.
Or was that a fork-ed tongue?

Then there are the young blonde boys
standing around in jeans hung below their butt
to show somebody something ....
handsome, sweet faces belie their
lopsided macho swaggers
looking like marionettes from a rap video.

Where have all the flower folks gone?
Bring back beautiful bare breasts
and dancing bodies in tiedye to replace all these sad,
frozen faces covered from head to toe in black!!
Hasn't Goth yet runs its course ... ?

No, dark death hangs out at the mall
or, perhaps, I have just become
the judgmental old lady I used to resent
who gave my hot pants strange stares.
How quickly in this play of life the roles do change.
I seem to have forgotten my next line.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Devonshire Avatar
March 26, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Great message here, Sue, for those who will llisten. Indeed, "dark death hangs out at the mall," a place I hate to visit. Very clear images, too!
Lopez Avatar
March 25, 2009 at 9:21 PM
words are written with much truth. Our perspective on life seems to change with time and experiences. We all somehow fit into these categories in one way or another and adn hmmmm I just forgot what I was going to say! ....good job with this write!
Smalling Avatar
March 25, 2009 at 1:39 PM
The first nature the poet sees is people, and after that poetry in everything else. This is such a generous poem, your love flows through it across the divide. God bless you
Merahi Avatar
March 23, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Thank you so much for your kind review Sue :) You made me laugh on this one (generation gap) ... You seem to look at things the same way as I do! I really don't understand what they call "fashion", I mean what is the point walking like a duck because the pants are hanging so down that they might fall any minute? I try to understand the logic of it but it is beyond the word logic itself! Anyway, you have put a nice smile on my face with this one though :))) Salam (peace) - Nassira
P. Avatar
March 23, 2009 at 3:35 AM
Thank you Sue, for your wonderful words on my write... this one you have here is truly true... your outlook of reality is so wonderfully penned... i don't like 'head to toe in black' too... excellent title, fit the writing so well ~ Arany
Faulkner Avatar
March 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM
lol love this write. its so true. If it helps any i still wear tiedya almost every week lol. well penned: love and peace: james
Billieux Avatar
March 22, 2009 at 3:32 PM
ahh yes, the 'growth' variable... i just try to stay young and openminded, don't dress 'funny' though ;) we were all like that once, i think this is a very nostalgic write, i like it alot...kind of a theme we can all appreciate, too.. thanks for the comments on my poetry, its great to hear some feedback.. 'tis true i haven't posted in a bit..i haven't been writing too much poetry lately, as i am trying to finish a novel(some poetry in it, but i can't post it double..rules rules.) Wite on!
Mc Avatar
March 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM
ture and too cute! and thank you!
Lucas Avatar
March 22, 2009 at 1:29 PM
this was really good.....Love Faire
Harris Avatar
March 22, 2009 at 8:47 AM
just writing to all that posted a congratulations on my poem its very nice of you all to take interest and i thank you a lot for you thoughts, hopefully you will hear more in the future, really appreciative!. thank you kyle
Wood Avatar
March 21, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Be warned I am about to gush! Oh this is sooo good! I am a throw back "flower folk" by choice and I love how you've captured this. I also appreciate Alyssa's comment. I am 32, a bicential(sic) baby, and I think the trend for my generation was to borrow from other decades! Your last verse is exactly right! Thanks!
Finley Avatar
March 20, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I agree with this poem of yours completely, and I'm only 17 years old. I like to think that every decade has its trend, so the best we can do is not follow the sheep and just be ourselves.
Iloduba Jnr Avatar
March 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
the world is full of distances........and voidable gaps.dat`s wat u painted here.and o` tnx 4ur commentary on my featured poem-after school.
Maughan Avatar
March 20, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Aesome!!!really enjoyed this !!and don`t forget the go-go boots and fish net.. more great memories.. Good job!! Hugs, Robin
Goff Avatar
March 20, 2009 at 11:22 AM
love the last line, seems to capture the energy of the entire great poem! Jim
Endro Yuwono Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Thanks for your criticism, Sue. You're right. I think it's actually not a Haiku. That's it. Sorry for confusing the existing category.By the way, I've read your poem.It's very penetrating writing, I think. I live in a somehow different culture than you. so, you writing is interesting much.Brilliant vision, Sue.
Voorhees Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Great write...Im at the tweener age now where I have a sensibility for current style but find it harder to identify with a growing "generation gap" I try to keep in mind the problems I faced and how I rebelled...and how the host of problems is ever growing and the way people rebel has always evolved and topped itself. Free love rebelled the uptight repression...and self loathing rebels the self absorbed. Different strokes for blah blah blah!! Well done!!
Townsend Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Wow, I hear you! I have teenage sons and the kids in their schools, wow. My oldest is eighteen and I am so proud to say he is handsome and very down to earth. I got lucky. He is into the whole farm boy thing. My other son is into fatigues and other army gear. Both are veryclean cut, this gives me hope for my daughters because some of those kids really scare me...LOL This piece seems to have really gotten peoples attention! LOL Great writing! Thanks for letting me share. Smiles from Lolita
Winter Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Sue, there is so much raw honesty and humor in your writing. You obviously know each generation expresses itself in such a bizarre way to the generation it just passed! I love your line 'Hasn't Goth yet run its course...? ~lol~! For all we know, it is here to stay! Hey cheer up - hot pants are in - we just can't wear 'em! Ha ha! Love ya Sue, Shar xoxo
Richards Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I love that last line so much!! Generation gap for sure...when did it become ok to show belly flab, and butt cracks in low cut jeans...??? Excuse me...I like dressing for the times, I try to stay in fashion myself, ...yes, ....but guess I'm old fashioned when it comes to showing too much of a good (or not so good) thing...
Higgins Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 10:42 AM
This is brilliant writing Sue..I am not from the woodstock days but I can understand how the liberation of souls back then and those who partook in the burning of bra and all its beauty maybe a little taken back by the massive changes that we have undergone...the eighties was my rebellious period and even I am awestruck by the amount of changes that has taken place since the eighties..I know I am rambling but this piece brought so much to my mind..this will be a badass in my faves.Great writing.
Ehigiator Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 10:07 AM
and fresh..We may not always understand it but we have to remember what we once brought to our generation..I love this, the title is so fitting.God bless, Tyesha
Ehigiator Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Wow, very powerful and direct write..So much reality lurks here..There is a time for everything..I remember this only to clearly.. Just like my friends..We made our own statement..Black clothes, hair curled up so high with tons of hairspray, baggy clothes..LOL, There are so many statements to be made, some with fashion and others with action..Most youngsters want to belong and feel like they are part of the crowd and then some just want to stand out..Each generation brings something new. ~cont~
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