Short 1964 Poems

See you later mom
meeting him at "Mass" tonight
bar code used to be. 

Kathy Collins...

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“Once you’ve financed your passion
—it’s time to quit work”

(Valley Forge Military Academy: August, 1964)...

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the hydrophilic Mr. Limpet leaps - fishing for a better life

1/24/2021

*1964 movie The Incredible Mr. Limpet...

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the Thames estuary;
a flock of caravans
and a low sun
that narrows my eyes,

a seawind strong,
that pulls my kite
over the water....

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What was it with the year nineteen sixty four?
That made our dreams seem so much more.
Now dreams lie dormant  behind locked door.
This is so removed from what was hoped for....

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A New Invasion

February 7, 1964
Who can ever forget
It was D-Day in reverse
A major landing at JFK
America was taken by storm
Screaming fans had to be held back
Four young mop tops started an invasion
...

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I wrote this in high school - 1964

An empty shell on the shore -
no life within anymore,
but why the shell for
someone to find, to see
how well its walls were polished?

Hear the echo of yourself,
but heed not a word,
'cause someone said
"It wasn't really the sea" ......

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DEPLANING OF 1964

enigmatic,
four souls
rocking voices,
idol haircuts, a drum,
guitars and a smile…

fainting, waving,
heads bobbing,

despairing boyfriends
and parents

seems like,
yesterday

I wanna hold your hand-
edness

got out of hand,
helter-skelter in view

7/7/2019...

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With all my hopes
In each dear way
Make yours one
Wondrous holiday

Thus put to verse
In word and rhyme
The best of blessed
This Christmas-time …

In love, joy and friendship,

Gregory Richard Barden








Copyright © December 24, 2022

( photograph taken by Rosalie Barden 1964)...

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My favorite sweatshirt was fluorescent orange
There was a cartoon rooster on it, Foghorn Leghorn
It was cuddly and comfy, I wore it a lot in seventh grade.
It cost me three dollars in 1964
My favorite shirt ever
I saved my own money to buy it
This was when I was making twenty-five cents an hour babysitting...

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Styled like a T Bird.
She really purred in third.
By listening to the engine
you did shift.
Ahe was sleek and styling
if you get my drift.
Her body golden cream,
the roof black.
It's the one with the roof
that slants slightly back.
Pop shifting soon became
my speciality.
I just loved my 
1964 Super Sport Chevy....

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Tiny diner in the middle of nothing
Gravel parking lot empty of cars
Screen door bangs as we step through
Formica tables polished until gleaming
Bobby socked waitresses giggling 
Homemade biscuits and eggs served runny
Total due just $2.65 after breakfast for two
Return in a week finding dusty windows 
Empty diner closed since 1964...

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In 1964 the Beatles toured the USA
And they stood against the Segregation way
John said they would rather lose the cost
Than take the stage with a segregated crowd as it was a loss

Even in these modern days where this stance
Makes you hip in your current civil rights dance
They stood tall and did not fall
And know it at that time a courageous call. 
© Paul Warren Poetry...

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I miss the mist
that kissed my face.
I miss the joy
of hills that race
to catch the bay.

I miss the life
the Monk tones,
the cable car bell,
the foghorn groans
that filled the bay.

I miss the Coit
and the Golden Gate
the parks with
views so great
of the endless bay.

I left my love
my life, my soul
in the city so warm
in a life gone cold
by the beautiful bay....

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General Black awoke from something so frightening.
He said to his wife at five thirty in the morning:
“Honey, I just had that dream that’s been reoccurring.
I saw a matador killing a bull in the ring.
Why every night would I dream about such a strange thing?
They need me today in Washington for a meeting.
I will return tonight.  Will you need money for anything?”

Based on the 1964 film "Fail-Safe"...

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make someone happy
and you will be happy, too
    sweet and to the point

Song: Make Someone Happy(1964)
Singer: Jimmy Durante
A very short romantic song, less than 2 minutes long, but it really spreads a touching, ecumenical message. I wish I played it at my wedding, actually.



Sing Me A Senryu Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Maureen McGreavy
Date written and submitted: 09/08/2019...

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Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
In buttonhole set daily a red rose new
His charisma couldn’t beguile the neighbor
The dragon disgorged fire in ‘62’s war.

January 24, 2019

(Note : Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) was the first Prime Minister
 of independent India. His charismatic leadership initiated the offer
of peaceful coexistence, goodwill and brotherhood to China, but
as a result of Sino-Indian border dispute China attacked India in 1962.)...

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Turn that radio off.  I don’t want to hear anymore.
All they play is music from that Liverpool Fab Four.
Those four English guys are polluting the airwaves.
Somehow, their music is what my girlfriend craves.
These bums look strange with that disgusting long hair.
They drive the girls batty, but I don’t seem to care.
Anyway, let’s get going.  It’s starting to get late.
If the Phillies win both games today, won't that be great?
...

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Polly Purebred was a bit too stuck up for my taste.
But Underdog was always there, with a heave and a haste.
I remember being shocked when I saw him in color in 1964.
Picturing him in blues, not reds, now seeing him down to his core.

He flew across the screen at Polly’s first whistle.
His cape was smooth and clean, without thorns or a thistle.
Polly Purebred never stop yelping, not a favorite with me.
But Underdog always saved her, with a bit of cartoonish glee....

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If I had a wooden guillotine with a sharp head blade
Who would I practice on?

Would it be my Aunt Tee 
Who embarrassed me in 1964 
By making my open my size 43 Double D lacy bra
in front of the relatives when I did not even wear
a training bra yet?

Would I use it on my arch enemy, Mrs. Harry, who made 
my student teaching experience a living hell? 

Would I use it on my seventh grade art teacher wo
made me hate art?

I ponder and I smile at the possibilities....

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We've had our differences, we've had our fights,
Now you're gone, yet I’m doin alright.
A month and ten days it'll be four years,
I miss you mom, and I wish you were here.
It was crazy times and a war,
But I still wish you were here and we'd party at the bar.
I think of you often and miss your voice,
But it's not like we had any other choice.
One day we shall meet again,
And who knows... Maybe next time we could be friends.

Love you. R.I.P. Teresa Marie Reese (8/13/1964-8/18/2009)...

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