The Baby Boomers Of Paradise

I thought it appropriate to scratch this piece out in free

Those were the days my friend, how blessed we were
Although, in past quandam days, knew it not.
Home to us was warm and dry, sound and safe.

Not called on to fight, we had years to play,
Free of conscripted combat ~ with time to kill;
Time to learn, time to listen, time to speak.

Clothes were brightly colourful and charming,
Hair long and flowing ~ blowin' in the wind.
Money no object ~ or so it would seem.

The world appeared to be as a fairground,
A hall of mirrors in which to reflect;
The tunnel of love was always with us.

We played our music and we rocked-'n'-rolled
Our hearts evoked by transistors not sense;
Twisting the night away, far away, lost.

We thought those days, my friend, would never end,
Timeless days of golden spring and summer.
There were no clouds to keep secret the skies.

Yet time moves on and takes its undue toll.
Some of us are carried off with the tide,
Others remain stranded on the surf's shore.

"How lucky to be here!"  I often muse
For now I know a generation raised
Was never conceived to grow up at all.

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

I'm one of that generation, growing up in the sixties. We took it for granted at the time. You references to the music brings it all back. A touch of sadness at the end with the reality that time has passed.
Well done Alan for stirring some memories.
All the best from another Alan

[Alan S Jeeves]

Hello Alan, thanks for the read and review. Yes we took things for granted back then (I guess that we take today for granted too - computers, mobile phones, cars...) but the times had certainly changed for us by then particularly education.
My grandfather took part in WW1 (on the Somme) and my father was in WW2 - they expected me to have to fight in WW3 but it never came along for our generation. I have simply spent my whole life doing the things that I enjoy.
Sometimes I am asked if I ever get depressed (maybe because of the current 'mental illness' craze that has swept the country) but I think about the era in which I have lived and my answer must be 'No I am not entitled to be depressed, I have no right'.
I hope you are all OK north of the border, I was happy to take you back a good few years with the baby boomers.

Kind regards from Yorkshire Alan, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

The sixties was a special time. How content was I to be a teen in the sixties. Phenomenal music, new found freedom and all that loving in far more than a spoonful. I like your reference here to Mary Hopkin as well. Those WERE the days. You took me on a nostalgic train ride Alan and I was in seventh heaven. Thank you for that. A wonderful memorable journey every time I return. My hair may have silvered, but my memory is golden. Lovely free verse descriptive write. Good morning.

Chris

[Alan S Jeeves]

How good it is, Chris, to learn that you found an affinity with my 'Baby Boomers' poem. I wrote it in 'free' as that is what I recall we were then - free - yet, I disciplined it using pentameter. My own life has been a magic carpet ride when I look back, and all the good things that came my way are still with me.
I first acquired a guitar in 1963 (inspired by Hank Marvin) and could handle it (or so I thought) by about mid-1964. I played in the house band at the 'David Brown Tractors Sports & Social Club' in the village of Meltham, near Huddersfield. We 'backed' the various singers who appeared on evenings at the club who were mainly 50's style crooners. On Friday nights a rock-and-roll band would be booked to appear and I had to sit it out but that is where I wanted to be so, I joined various bands (called 'groups' back then).
I still play one of my many instruments daily and I am frequently asked to arrange and play on music from the 1960's.
My hair Chris... well! I just dye it grey...
What a day for a daydream!

Kind regards, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

What an interesting and lovely life you have led Alan and thanks for the hair dye smile :) Enjoy the rest of this very hot day.