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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Monday, June 6, 2011

Liz


I drank Janis's rage and sadness with my Kool-Aid
Sang of Bobby McGee while other kids sang their ABCs.

I daydreamed about clouds with Joni
And was schooled about men
who wear women on their arms like expensive watches from Carly.
I longed to fall under the spell of a Magic Man
as I inhaled the earthy, herbal smokiness of the concert hall air.

But the next morning I was still myself
Their world would never be my world.

And as much as I wanted to be like her, Tori was fairytale beautiful
 And I was too old to be either a Cornflake or a Raisin girl.

Then along came Liz.

We all knew Liz. We were Liz.

She was the girl next door who swore like a sailor.

She was the seductress who got screwed.

She was the cynic who just wanted a boyfriend.

When she sang of a Flower
it was an O'Keefe painting come to life.

Liz was a storm.

She thundered onto the scene screaming like a girl
And we heard her
Because she was one of us.
 We were in Exile too.

She spoke our language.
Used words that we had been told nice girls don't say
But she knew we had been thinking all along.

Her world was my world.
Her words were my words.
She helped me find my voice.



14 comments:

Christine said...

Music sure can bring a person to another state of being, it also brings up a lot of memories too.

Anonymous said...

so nice when one can truly relate with an artist, as if she is you :) Thanks for this beautiful journey in your world as well. Enjoy the potluck!

http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/along-came-hancock/

Jingle said...

the way your word flow is powerful.
Liz=storm,
wow.

Happy Potluck!

JustRex said...

The music of our generation helps make us who we are today. Looking around at what is popular these days makes me a bit concerned for the future.

Maude Lynn said...

Aha! Another Liz fan!

Anonymous said...

Awesome poem, some artists just speak to us I know I've been truly inspired by David Usher's lyrics. I am honestly more attracted to the lyrics than how it sounds so for some my taste is questionable lol

Mia said...

than I am very glad she did.
Music changes lives.
some people change souls.
lovely poem!

Luna

Anonymous said...

Great flow and chronology! I remember the first time I heard Liz and was blown away by her..

Fireblossom said...

Is she the one who sang "Across The Universe" for the movie Pleasantville? Am thinkin so.

Fireblossom said...

Oops. Nope, that was Fiona Apple. I knew all the bands and singers you mentioned except this one. I've heard the name but don't know what she sings. (obviously! duh @ me)

Brian Miller said...

nice...music played a big part in my life...my first concert was poison/tesla...saw the longest GnR concert ever as well...NiN was a fav...i was a weird kid, before weird was cool...i know its a remake but Tesla's version of signs...yeah i got it...

pat tillett said...

Just Amazing... I loved it!
Music says it all and I feel sorry to those can can't relate parts of their life to it.

Anonymous said...

Haven't thought of Phair in a while. Have to give a listen soon. More memories. Like it a lot.

Someone is Special said...

Inspired music.. here is my song, Somebody's me

Someone is Special