Set 'Em Up

Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it. - Thoreau

there's something about a burnin', screamin', wailin', electric guitar that makes you wanna stick your tongue out

as a whisper in hell turns into heaven's shout

i guess that's better than tearin' it up and sayin', "god damn"

or wham, bam, thank you mam

even though the door swings both ways, the way you came in ain't the same way you're goin' out

as legions of angels pray to the sky and erase any shred of doubt

clawin' and screechin' like a cat in heat

eternally keepin' a rock steady beat

poundin' percussion like cpr

twirlin' a rope and lassoin' a wayward star

dancin' with the father, son and holy ghost

your horse hitched to the right post

gettin' more than most

with a most merciful, loving host

hands raised and feet kickin'

southern fried and finger lickin'

don't forget your six-shooter and hat

'cuz there ain't no comin' back for that

Author's Note

"Listen to music religiously, as if it were the last strain you might hear." - Thoreau

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

What would Thoreau think of that music, Pete! You have so captured the atmosphere and behaviour of that scene in your words, Pete. True music, true sentiment, unpretentious and gut-wrenching stuff. Your writing moves in so many ways.. always something to digest, a mix and match here, believe me! .

[Pete]

well he did love music and played the flute. hard to say what he'd think of this but he surely would be amazed at the progress that had been made with electricity, musical instruments, sound systems and lights. i can just picture him dancing in walden woods by the pond!

[Pete]

the band looks like they're having so much fun. music is pure joy touching us on the inside like nothing else!

[Thomas W Case]

I love Skynard. This poem rocks.

[Pete]

rock on twc.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love making music as much as I enjoy listening to it. I still play my guitar daily if only for an hour or so. I've been doing that for a half century. I can't live without music but I never have to since I can always make my own. A good read, F.

[Pete]

good for you - keep on playing. i too couldn't live without music.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I do listen to it religiously...it has been the soundtrack of my life, having grown up with rock and roll, from rockabilly, to Doo-wop, to British Invasion and on and on.
Love this piece...
Thoreau was quite smart.
this poem is quite smart.
j.

[Pete]

music is a powerful thing. thoreau was a wise man who respected nature and played the flute.

[Vol]

Pete,
So good to hear someone else understands the spiritual power of Rock-n-Roll! Dancing hard, eyes locked with hers in a foreplay song, burning energy together all the way to exhaustion... almost, just enough left for "later."
Vol

[Pete]

yes indeed, exactly - music has transformative, spiritual, power. what would life be without it?

[Vol]

bleh.......

[Ana Papaya]

Music is so powerful and can inspire a range of emotions.
It can definitely get us moving and grooving!

[Pete]

no doubt, you've surely got that right.friend. rock on and thanks for the share.

[Ana Papaya]

Rock on, my friend 🤟😈

[Pete]

damn straight. love the sabbath on your profile page.

[Ana Papaya]

Oh I just changed it. Lol!
But I was listening to war pigs just a moment ago and it still is such a relevant song given the state of things in the world.

[Pete]

great, classic song that never goes out of style or relevance.. I enjoy your poetry.👍

[Ana Papaya]

Thank you! 😊

[Poetic Beauty]

We are definitely not going out the way we came in. I like be music especially heavy metal and rock

[Pete]

alright in my book. my kinda' gal.