If I Needed Someone

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BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

If I Needed Someone

#1 Post by BobBradshaw » 06 Jun 2021, 09:14

If I Needed Someone

    The stylus on my record player sighed.
    I Feel Fine filled my room
    as I recalled yesterday's concert,
    the Beatles onstage. 
   
    A ribbon of blood
    stretched to my ankle,
    I rushed out of my room,
    She’s a Woman blaring behind me.

    Mama gasped
    seeing my bloody foot.
    All afternoon she lectured me
    on boys and unwanted babies…
            
    Instead of class the next day
    I sneaked off to the public pool
    where other girls on the lam
    twittered away like wrens by the chain link fence.
   
    A boy was grabbing his knees in mid air
    cannon balling into the water—
    others strolling by
    with the rakish swagger of crows.
       
    I worried the chances of a first kiss
    would override caution.  And Mama?
    Out of nowhere Jeff
    suddenly lay down next to me

    on the concrete deck
    talking about our English teacher,
    Mrs. Monroe, with her light down
    of a mustache. 

    My heart drummed in my ears;
    I was lightheaded, standing
    at the edge of the high dive board
    for the first time. 
  
    Was this kiss gonna happen?
    Jeff’s hand touched mine.   
    I swayed like water
    carried in a bucket.

    Any moment I would slosh
    over the brim.
    If I Needed Someone
    throbbed from the speakers.

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: If I Needed Someone

#2 Post by Kenneth2816 » 08 Jun 2021, 18:09

Bob, is this a rewrite? Am I mistaken that you recently posted this?

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: If I Needed Someone

#3 Post by BobBradshaw » 09 Jun 2021, 00:33

I posted it not too long ago at W.

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: If I Needed Someone

#4 Post by Kenneth2816 » 09 Jun 2021, 01:54

Ah. It's a nostalgia piece and I admire the voice.

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: If I Needed Someone

#5 Post by BobBradshaw » 10 Jun 2021, 01:21

Thanks, Ken

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: If I Needed Someone

#6 Post by Michael (MV) » 27 Jun 2021, 01:41

Hi Bob,

I have liked this poem from my first read of it,

and I need to put it on my short list

This song & video from 2013 tracked as I read: "Ready To Go" by Guards

8)

Michael (MV)

BobBradshaw wrote:
06 Jun 2021, 09:14
If I Needed Someone

    The stylus on my record player sighed.
    I Feel Fine filled my room
    as I recalled yesterday's concert,
    the Beatles onstage. 
   
    A ribbon of blood
    stretched to my ankle,
    I rushed out of my room,
    She’s a Woman blaring behind me.

    Mama gasped
    seeing my bloody foot.
    All afternoon she lectured me
    on boys and unwanted babies…
            
    Instead of class the next day
    I sneaked off to the public pool
    where other girls on the lam
    twittered away like wrens by the chain link fence.
   
    A boy was grabbing his knees in mid air
    cannon balling into the water—
    others strolling by
    with the rakish swagger of crows.
       
    I worried the chances of a first kiss
    would override caution.  And Mama?
    Out of nowhere Jeff
    suddenly lay down next to me

    on the concrete deck
    talking about our English teacher,
    Mrs. Monroe, with her light down
    of a mustache. 

    My heart drummed in my ears;
    I was lightheaded, standing
    at the edge of the high dive board
    for the first time. 
  
    Was this kiss gonna happen?
    Jeff’s hand touched mine.   
    I swayed like water
    carried in a bucket.

    Any moment I would slosh
    over the brim.
    If I Needed Someone
    throbbed from the speakers.

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: If I Needed Someone

#7 Post by BobBradshaw » 28 Jun 2021, 20:40

Thanks, Michael. Appreciate it.

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