Where I Was In the Seventies

I stood before the mirror, one last check,
a quick inspection, then head off to town,
silver kipper tie around the neck,
shirt of green, sports jacket of light brown.
Platform shoes on, I boogie down the street,
a first date to look forward to that night,
flared pants flapped in the breeze around my feet,
and my jacket lapels both jinked like kites.
I patted my breast pocket to make sure
my cheque book was inside there, just in case
the night I had in mind costed more
and ended up leaving me sat red faced.

She met me outside Ramsdens, half past eight,
I kissed her cheek and said how good she looked,
went in the bar, got drinks for the short wait,
eight forty-five I had our table booked.
Melon boat for a starter, prawn cocktail,
then chicken in a basket with some fries,
two ice cream sundaes, wafers stood like sails,
we ate and gazed into each other's eyes.
Once the Mateus Rose wine was downed
the waiter swiftly took our plates away,
I paid the bill, got change from twenty pounds,
the chequebook lived to fight another day.

I saw her on the bus, a brief embrace,
a kiss, for one second did our lips meld,
she smiled goodbye, I tried to read her face,
her eyes gave no clue what the future held.
Though forty years have passed since that one date,
my mind still recalls every detail now,
I was told she'd someone else by my best mate,
I pause and still remember her.
The cow.

22nd February 2018
For contest 'where were you in the 70's  ', sponsor Line Gauthier.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Roper Avatar
March 10, 2018 at 2:18 PM
Back with congratulation on your win! Hugs Eve ~`*
Wigley Avatar
March 11, 2018 at 3:28 AM
Thanks, Eve, very kind x
Gauthier Avatar
March 10, 2018 at 12:33 PM
A most delightful read, Viv. Well done. Congrats.
Wigley Avatar
March 11, 2018 at 3:28 AM
Thanks, Line, your contest has produced some real pearls. Viv x
Allison Avatar
February 25, 2018 at 3:20 PM
That ending is priceless Mr Viv but so are the memories as ramsdens was a place I loved to eat out at... their sauteed mushrooms with steak were amazing. How odd I was only talking with mum about ramsdens. If I recall it was not far from Debenhams! Hugs Jan xx
Wigley Avatar
March 11, 2018 at 3:27 AM
Yeah, on the Cornmarket near the entrance to the Market Hall. Then it became 'The knotted snake', then an amusement arcade, now it's a bookies. A sad loss. Along with the irongates tavern. Viv x
Delaney Avatar
February 25, 2018 at 7:33 AM
Liebfraumilch always seems very chi chi to me. Your ending lines always pack a surprise.....I know you mean she acted like a cow....not looked like one.
Canerdy Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 7:32 PM
Viv, this is SO well-written, colorful, and entertaining! In the seventies I taught some tall, lanky guys who wore shoes like those--making them appear to be about seven feel tall. By the way, I LOVED disco!! Janice
Dietrich Avatar
February 23, 2018 at 6:58 PM
Thanks for reading my long Indelible poem!! Let me see if I can find one of yours I have not seen yet.
Wigley Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 1:17 AM
There may be one back there covered in dust, Andrea, you never know x
Callus Avatar
February 23, 2018 at 12:20 PM
Excellent description of those 70s clothes, Viv! I wore similar shoes, but never had a cheque book! 'Blue Nun' and 'Black tower'...were not cheap over here. You forgot to tell her that you had a plane:) Regards // paul
Wigley Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 1:18 AM
...not forgetting Liebraumilch and Babycham. Pure sophistication :)
La France Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 7:32 PM
Viv, this was great from the first to the cow !
Wigley Avatar
February 24, 2018 at 1:18 AM
Thanks, Constance, aren't you glad you're young and missed it? Viv x
Dietrich Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 3:05 PM
OH MY, that last line. It's PRICELESS. Yes, I know the feeling. What a clever way you told this story!! If we could use an oldie in this contest, I'd be using Indelible about MY first and only date with the dream man of my life!! Enjoyed this poem very much.
Tripp Avatar
February 21, 2018 at 9:08 PM
Oh, God! I remember my elder brother wearing the same stylish (cough) clothing. Funny. The cow, eh? Put a damper on the ole checkbook? Cute write that brought back memories.
Wigley Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 12:26 AM
Indeed, Rhoda, the 1970's- the decade that fashion forgot. When I see old episodes of 'Columbo', it makes me cringe :) . Viv x
Duet Avatar
February 21, 2018 at 8:32 PM
What?! "The cow?" Geeezzz! I hope whoever she was she never reads this. But, at least you remember the date. Love the description of your clothes. I remember when guys used to wear those shoes. So funny. You must have been one of those "wild and crazy guys". lol Great poem. GL in the contest, Viv.
Wigley Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 12:32 AM
Slightly wild and crazy, Carole, yes. The girl in question was already dating a professional soccer player when she asked a friend to ask me if I would go out with her, I didn't find out until the day after our date. The cost of that meal was, like, half a weeks wages back then :(
Leiser Avatar
February 21, 2018 at 8:13 PM
The cow?! So funny, Viv! Your poem took me down memory lane! Yes, I was dating a lot in the 70’s, and remember how the guys dressed! Hope your fun poem does well in the contest! :)
Wigley Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 12:59 AM
I cut quite a dash back then, Laura. Quite a catch. If you wore sunglasses. Thanks for dropping by. Viv x
Roper Avatar
February 21, 2018 at 8:10 PM
Oh, my , tough date on the wardrobe ,, nice date my time of meal.. except for the wine,,hahaha “ The Cow” love the write. Viv… luck in the contest…Hugs Eve ~`*
Wigley Avatar
February 22, 2018 at 1:01 AM
Mateus Rose wine in it's own little wicker carafe basket- the height of sophistication for a teenager, along with 'Blue Nun', 'Black tower' and 'Liebfraumilch'. That was about all the wine choice we had. How times change. Hope you're well. Viv x
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