Caren Krutsinger Poet Free verse

Not Even Close

A musical throng of 400,000 strong invaded a dairy farm in New York in 1969,
 which set fire to the 70’s; but there was no chance of me being there; 
I was a good girl, 17 years young; sheltered, not knowing about the real world.
Working in a grocery store 28 hours a week, while
attending my senior year of high school, in my home town of Chariton, Iowa.
There were gang-inspired movies of sheer horror and terror out about this time.
I did not see any except Billy Jack, and the Glory Stompers.
Both traumatized me so hard, I am still terrified of them.
I was making macramé planters, Modge Podge boxes, and latch hook rugs if I could
Get the money; the boxes were expensive.
Some people were pretend hippies, wearing long hair. I grew my hair long
For my yearbook photo, but then was sad because it had looked lots better short.
By 1971, I was married, after being forced to view myself as an old maid
By my peers who had all wed a month out of high school.
I was wearing a large, black, bushy afro, and thought of myself as liberated.
Not even close, honey, the Equal Rights Amendment did not even pass.
By ’74 I had two babies; I remember getting a flat tummy after
childbirth and being insanely unhappy that the new style was maternity-looking tops.
Who made THAT decision?
I was still wearing the hip-hugging bell bottom pants now, but without the wide belt.
Mary Tyler Moore was on TV, shocking everyone with disbelief that a single woman could
Make it on her own, without man, or marriage.
“My Three Sons” and “The Brady Bunch” had been startling pushed out of the way by “All in the Family.”
I had never known the word ‘bigot before’, I’m not sure I ever wanted to.
By ’79 I had my third baby, was living in a large house in Des Moines, Iowa, and was a Girl Scout Troop Leader.

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Quoth Theraven March 28, 2021 at 2:44 PM Caren, 'I was making macramé planters, Modge Podge boxes, and latch hook rugs if I could Get the money; the boxes were expensive.' Liked your busy hands in 'Not Even Close'.. what a groovy title to wrap your head around. Wow, the time of Woostock, will there ever be another. And will all the 'good girls' of 17 wish to leave their sheltered lives behind. -Richard Caren Krutsinger March 28, 2021 at 4:24 PM Believe me I enjoyed reflecting down memory lane.

Patricia Leduc March 27, 2018 at 8:09 PM Caren..I found this one to be all so familiar. My life mirrored yours in many ways. I didn't go to Woodstock either I covered for a friend. Married in 71 only one child. BUT I was at the peace marches, as a hippie, Marching to the capital in Hartford, CT. I got to see Jimi Hendrix & The Grateful Dead, Jagger & The rolling stones in concert. We both lived somewhat innocent times while the world changed. A wondrous time it was. I kinda doubt we will see it again. Caren Krutsinger March 27, 2018 at 10:11 PM Thank you, Patricia. For recognizing the truth in this, because it was 100 percent what happened in my own perspective, An innocent time, and I was oh, so innocent, and I wish the whole world could have stayed that way.

Paulette Calasibetta March 12, 2018 at 6:45 PM Hi Caren, I remember those days well. I didn't go to Woodstock either but our generation was impacted as you so cleverly composed "Not Even Close". Great job and congratulations! Caren Krutsinger March 13, 2018 at 7:28 AM Thank you, Paulette. I appreciate it.

Viv Wigley March 11, 2018 at 3:16 AM Congratulations, Caren, to quote Donna Summer, 'you worked hard for the money'. Viv x Caren Krutsinger March 12, 2018 at 7:12 AM I surely did! Thank you for your kind comments, Viv.

Eve Roper March 10, 2018 at 2:14 PM Congratulation on your win! Hugs Eve ~`* Caren Krutsinger March 12, 2018 at 7:12 AM Thank you, Eve, and for the hugs too.

Line Gauthier March 10, 2018 at 12:22 PM An delightful abundance of 70's flashbacks. Well done, Caren. Congrats.

Leanne Lovejoy-Burton February 28, 2018 at 4:29 PM I LOVE THIS STORY...commencing with Woodstock, I was just commencing primary school back then. Wow, Equal Rights Amendment...my mother loved Mary Tyler Moore, she passed away from Cancer in 1971 (a momentous year for us, she was 32).I remember all this. It was certainly a different era. Vietnam, my father was in the first Australian regiment over there...Love this story Caren. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to reading more of your work. Caren Krutsinger February 28, 2018 at 4:31 PM Thank you, Leanne. I had fun writing this one; it dates me, but that's okay. I do not mind being my age!