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Sunday 20 February 2011

I was 10 in '77



I was 10 in ‘77
by Pete Marshall

I was 10 in ‘77
when first I felt the force
of hardened fists from wayward scum
that pinned me down in makeshift courts

I was 10 in ‘77
when first I heard an iron lung
that breathed in deep and rasped for breath
as grandpa’s life was finely hung

I was dead in ‘77
until they came and filled the screen
and gave me hope to live each day
amongst the stars and laser beams

I was 10 in ‘77
when  faith would come into my life
and gave me strength to fight the dark
that gripped my mind throughout the night

I was 10 in ‘77
the age my boy is now
when sci-fi scenes and school boy dreams
caused visual sensual wow

****************

This is my poem for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt, image by JackAZ Photography

23 comments:

dustus said...

Seeing The Empire Strikes Back at a very young age mesmerized & spooked me at first... Your poem spans the generations in this poem through an iconic film that still has worldwide impact—for so many an unforgettable viewing experience.

Glynn said...

I was a little older than 10 in '77but this brought back a lot of memories, good and bad (just like the porm). And 1977 was when the first Star Wars movie hit the theaters.

Good poem, Pete.

Anonymous said...

I was born in 77...old bugger you! I'm actually quite jealous that you saw this first time round. I think I saw it at Christmas one year. Still you bought the personal into the poem which gave it a really human take Pete.

Christine said...

I remember 1977, my brother was on fire and saw that movie 7 times. I went once, I think it was a guy thing. Now lets talk about Indiana Jones...

Margaret said...

Love your poem, very well done. I had a lot of ideas, but not time this Sunday. So I settled for a haiku...

Great memories here in this poem. But I, as a woman, have to love Christine's comment and I agree 100%. Let's talk about Indiana Jones! LOL

Brian Miller said...

dude i saw star wars at the drive in and made my parents take me to Empire while we were on vacay...yeah the force is string in this one...great piece...

knot eye said...

we reference Life with timelines, full grown eyes, backtracking with young hearts...I could not help but fall prey to your words and pause...
Homer, Alaska, 18 without fear or knowledge, log cabin, outhouses, lanterns, running water meant run and get some and playing Jazz with geniuses...I saw the movie in 83'...

I hadn't looked in a while, thanks

Peace, hp

Unknown said...

wow. amazing poem Pete.

signed...bkm said...

Very nice Peter....my son was born in 77' a very good year for me....you bring back good memories...bkm

Beachanny said...

I was not 10 in 77 as you well know. But we were in line for first showings of every StarWars film. We had the album; I carefully cut the music for the boy to skate as he raced the stars on silver edges. Your poems brilliantly takes us on a trip through time. Thanks, as always, Gay

rmpWritings said...

"when first I felt the force" "when first I heard an iron lung"

with each line I smiled, with thoughts of the movie, only to be crush with reality. You paint a wondrous picture of being a young boy of 10 in '77 and how a movie has the power to lift spirits and change lives.

Lovely poem.

Anonymous said...

i turned 22 that year.
fun poem.

Miranda said...

this reminds me about my connection with Harry Potter. it's neat how fiction can affect us so much.
Miranda<3

Celestial Dreamz said...

ditto christine and margaret about the 'guy thing' .... but enjoyed your poem a lot ..captivating :)

eyeography said...

Well I was born 10 years later..
I loved how you captured the emotions in such a beautiful way...
lovely :)

JackAZ Photography said...

What an emotion recalling story, you took me right back to '77. Wonderful writing!

shah wharton said...

I was five and your poem resonates with my time growing up,beautifully. That film was a favourite for so many - along with E.T! Don't you cry at the same places every time as if it were the first? Shah .X

shah wharton said...

I was five and your poem resonates with my time growing up,beautifully. That film was a favourite for so many - along with E.T! Don't you cry at the same places every time as if it were the first? Shah .X

Kerry O'Connor said...

I'm blown away by this poem - amazed by what you did with that picture (I remain completely stumped by it, fan though I am of Star Wars).

You poem has such a fine balance between the harsh realities of a young boy's world and the escape to another, which the movie offers...And a boy learnt he too could be a hero.
Superb.

Isha Shiri said...

I appreciate the power of his words that form the amalgam of the expression of life, hard as it is and always will be.

I was happy to see you in the blog world.

"I hope your week be sweet like honey "
Adele - 'Isha Shiri'

Asobime said...

An excellent, excellent, poignant poem, Pete. One that has the great rhythm going and a lovely list of memories...which, can make excellent poetry!

Lady Nyo

Lesley said...

Dear Pete, I was looking round for poems to read on my 1970s radio show, and I encountered this. I hope it's ok, but I will be reading it tomorrow night (11/12/2020) on my show on Enjoyradio.co.uk. You can listen again on wordsarelife.co.uk.

Marshy said...

Hi Lesley that's fine..this is star wars inspired and do please send people my way..haven't written for a while but most of the poetry is uk based. Can you send me a feed of the reading? Please message me direct if you want more info all the best pete