A few days ago(29th Nov 2017), I had started writing a poem about Penny Farthing Bicycles, prompted by an article in the Geelong Advertiser newspaper, the arrival in Geelong of eight members of the Melbourne Bicycle Club in March 1880, as per featured picture above, courtesy of the Geelong Heritage Centre Collection. Then I was chatting with my friend Jane of Janebasilblog, she had just sent me the song and lyrics of the Mary Hopkin hit, “Those Were The Days”, from 1968, and I mentioned The Kinks were one of my fav’s from that era, and of course their song “Lola”.Β After our chat, I starting thinking [which is dangerous for me]Β about writing a crazy, combined, mixed up poem… The piece below is the result of those thoughts, and to my older readers, you’ll notice all the phrases written in Italic, are song titles taken from The Kinks album “The Kinks Collection”. So apologies to Ray Davies for using his song titles in such a manner. And thank you to Jane for providing me with the inspiration to actually write these jumbled up words.Β ** And now today(8th Nov 2018), this poem has been edited, and re-posted, as a response to CalmKate’s Friday Foto Fun – Wheels Or Circles.
“Where Have All The Good Times Gone”
I remember the olden times
Of pennies and farthings
Pounds and pence
When money made no sense
Mary Hopkins sang
βThose Were The Daysβ
And the Kinks song “Lola”
Was the best number one ever
Many a lazy Sunny Afternoon
Spent down near Waterloo Sunset
Where we would all dance
All Of The Day And All Of The Night
My Friends would all dress-up
Like Dedicated Followers Of Fashion
Unlike that lonely Plastic Man
Who faked the Death Of A Clown
Way back then, You Really Got Me
You fired me up, here in Victoria
Thousands of Days forgotten in the burn-out
Charred in a cloud of Big Black Smoke
But now, I’m Tired Of Waiting For You
Wondering, Where Have All The Good Times Gone
Ivor Steven
8th November 2018.Β 10.30pm
Good one, Ivor! You could start a new poetry craze. I have written poems using titles of books, quotes from books, Cd cover titles, and lines from others’ poems. It’s all good fun π
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Yes I’ve two of these sort of poems, I did another one using friend’s blog names in a poem. … and I can’t remember the name of it… !!
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That’s what happens I find. I go back to look at my archives and think ‘now, what was THAT one about?!’
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Yes, it’s another old age thing
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music makes me so nostalgic too. the past seems so much richer and full of life than these days doesn’t it Ivor. this is a very special poem.
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Thank you Gina, and I’d like to chat longer, but I’m very tired and heading for bed.. nite, nite.
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sweet dreams!
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That takes me back Ivor. Happy times!
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They were definitely good times
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Like a trip down memory lane
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Yes, a very talented memory lane, thanks Drew
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Brilliant Ivor. I would never be able to do this I cannot remember enough songs, let alone the names of bands long gone! I always have to ask… Who sang this?
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Oh the Kinks were a big fav’ when I was young!! π
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Me too, I loved all the sixties bands. Anyway Ivor! Why aren’t you asleep ? Isn’t it around four in the morning down your Way?
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Going back to sleep now, I hope π΄having a rough night with my neuralgia /headaches
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I sympathise, close your eyes and think of those peaceful Chinese gardens and flowing water π
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This *Gypsy Flower Child *Can’t Cry Anymore. *The Way I Did Before I met her as *Piece By Piece *All The Gold In California which was mined by the *Midnight Choir while they chanted *We’re Number One. *Hold Me Closer she shouted at the leader or I’m * Taking Somebody With Me When I Fall. Losing patience with the impatience of his fellow miners the leader of the pack demanded his share before bowing out questioning bluntly *How Much Is a Man Supposed To Take. All*marked are song titles from a 1979 album release by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers titled Straight Ahead.(It needs a lot more work so the challenge is there for any one who wishes to take it up)
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Oh Chris, well done, if only you knew how long it took me to construct my poem, I’m afraid it’s all easier said than done
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This was just a random pick from my collection to challenge myself as a reply.
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Oh very clever, like it Ivor .. wheels are turning, Jane is great at challenging us to extend our talent!
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Jane’s been a bit quiet lately, l hope she’s coping alright. π
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here son causes her grief .. what to do
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It’s been a terribly long battle for, xxx
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yes but she hangs in there at huge cost … just met a retired couple caring for 5 young grandkids coz parents are wasted … had them 4 years, can’t imagine doing that at their age!
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Great evocation of greats of a marvellous era
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Oh wow! This is splendid Ivor.
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I HAVE THESE BICYCLES!!!! β€ π
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I know π ππ
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π
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What an interesting post Ivor! that must have been quite a spectacle. I am glad you found your good days once more! Love both of these songs!
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Thank You Dwight for reading this quaint piece of mine π
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My pleasure Ivor!
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