Rock N' Roll Spin

I've reached beyond the age of RPM records
        youthful addiction
My forty-fives tilt in a corner of the basement,
        leaning tower of teenage angst,
Wrapped now in decades of neglect.
        Why can't I dispose of you?
        Clutter crime of nostalgia's pull

This craving for rock 'n roll renegades,
         singers of weed-garden life
         punishers of social rules
Ageless idols of grainy texture
          in fraying fabrics, tie dyed

So many odes to love, longing, anger
Snippets of R n' R once bleeding from open windows,
         like wanderers dancing in darkness
          
Charged rhythm once labelled
         force of evil,
Musical clout like tattered boxing gloves
Limitless bliss to unstuck youth
Something to stagger to,
           life's nimble recollection,
           a secret world
           of cherished entry

Implacable lyrics
          that preserve themselves
          in all that spins










(Poem revised July 2020 with 2 new stanzas added, along with a title change.)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Ramel Avatar
March 29, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Dude I feel like I just went back to the 70's....great poem.....peace out
Sambourne Avatar
March 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Thanks very much Michael. Yes, 60's + 70's Rock music had real impact. The Beatles (for example) evolved into a heavier, more meaningful sound with stronger lyrics from their early pop music days. The British invasion brought an edgier rock n' roll beat to our music. Good hearing from you. Thanks for the feedback. Brian
Peck Avatar
September 13, 2021 at 8:23 AM
I think you've described one of my closets! Gotta love that rock and roll. Your poem is a nice reminiscence of youth and time gone by.
Sambourne Avatar
September 13, 2021 at 8:53 AM
Very kind of you to comment on my poem. What glory days they were as rock 'n roll fueled our youth. Be well. Brian
Kauffman Avatar
August 22, 2021 at 10:18 AM
Golden oldies now dancing through my brain and set my feet to dancing across the room Brian. Love this! You have a multitude of striking lines and images taking many of us back to beloved songs! Congratulations on your win! This truly is a winner! Just made me :) A fav! I want to more of those smiles!
Sambourne Avatar
August 22, 2021 at 10:29 AM
Thanks very much, Sam. One of my older postings here but glad that you found enjoyment in reading it. Keep the pen flowing. Best wishes always, Brian
Evans Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 9:36 AM
OMG! I love, love this one for I dig Rock and Roll. I saw the Rolling Stones concert two years ago and I could not get enough of it. Love to dance with Rock and Roll music. Fortunately, I met somebody with a Rock band last year. I go dancing when he plays the music of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Them and so on.
Sambourne Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 10:29 AM
My appreciation, Marilene, for your encouraging response to my piece. My first concert happened to be the Beatles in 1964. I was amazed that my parents let me attend at such a young age. Screaming, however, obliterated much of the singing. Continued dancing glory to us all. Cheers, Brian
Alex Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 11:05 PM
Beautifully penned. Congratulations on your win!
Sambourne Avatar
August 13, 2021 at 7:02 AM
Thank you, Christuraj. Be well. Brian
Mcgee Avatar
August 19, 2020 at 7:24 AM
I think you may need to get a record player and rock out...I did last year so I could listen to all my old ones...so fun. congrats on your win Brain.
Sambourne Avatar
August 19, 2020 at 7:15 PM
Greetings Jeanne Thank you for your message. Good advice but where oh where to find an old operational record player? Keep listening to the oldies nevertheless. It keeps us youthful. Brian
Kauffman Avatar
August 18, 2020 at 11:01 AM
A slow trip down a lane called memory, Brian. I wanted to stop at each record! Thanks for the guided tour - enjoyed it! High fives and kudos on your first place win!
Sambourne Avatar
August 18, 2020 at 8:11 PM
Hi Sam. Thank you for your kind words. My first concert was the Beatles on their 1964 North American tour. The last rock n roll concert, 2003 when AC/DC shook the house. Cheers Brian
Mcintosh Avatar
August 18, 2020 at 4:08 AM
I just love this. I remember those old records so well... they soothed, comforted and inspired me in my youth, also. Love and prayers sent your way with congrats on your top placement in the contest :)
Sambourne Avatar
August 18, 2020 at 8:14 PM
Hello Regina My appreciation for your thoughtful, supportive words. Our rock 'n roll records do hold special sway for so many of us in unsettled times. Be well. Brian
Radice Avatar
August 4, 2020 at 2:21 AM
Brian, the title called out to me so I had to read this and am glad I did. It's excellent. :) For me Poetry Soup's strength (ie so many great poems) is also its weakness in that I miss reading so much excellent work. I have to say I still love and play my 45s and 33and a thirds (particularly from the 70s..not so much the 80s) on Mr Scratchy..a player I bought for £20 from a boot sale. Cheers - Gary
Sambourne Avatar
August 4, 2020 at 5:55 AM
Hi Gary Thanks very much for your response. Alas my old record player is unable to provide me with the joy from a replay of the oldies. So good to read that you still soar to 45's and 33's and a third. Let the music roll. Brian
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 9, 2020 at 5:23 PM
Hello Brian Sambourne, I would just keep the ones I like and get rid of the rest. Have a nice evening my friend. Stay safe.
Sambourne Avatar
May 2, 2020 at 8:12 AM
Hi Darlene Many of the tunes are a delight to me, but I am not playing them on my old record player. I need to man up + take them to a vinyl record store to give them a second life with someone else. You set a fine example. Nostalgia is a tough pull however. Best wishes Brian
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 10, 2020 at 1:06 PM
Hello Brian, I have a question: Are all these 45 and records your favourite? Yes it is tough to decied which one to get rid of. I have gotten rid of some of my CD"s because I did not like them. Replaced them with what I enjoy to listen to. Be well Sincerely Darlene
Sambourne Avatar
April 9, 2020 at 5:38 PM
Hi Darlene Thank you for your message. I so need help to de clutter. I pick up a 45 record + remember the circumstances of buy, by a teenage self. Tough struggle. Be well. Sincerely Brian
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