Sunday, December 27, 2009

Poetry Train Monday - 133 - The Latest Year of My Life



Here it is - the final found poem for 2009. I'm using the villanelle form, but without rhyming, as that would interfere with the found poem status.

This is taken from my diary entry for the turn of 1980 into 1981. This was a big year for me - first onstage roles in high school where my theatre bug was activated, and of course my first boyfriend, so my first taste of what it meant to be in love.

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The Latest Year of My Life


Looking back, the latest year of my life
I listened to records most of the day
I opened dams, debuted, changed, conquered, loved

I finished Life Before Man, got dressed, packed
I packed to go to Windsor for the night
Looking back, the latest year of my life

We left as soon as we were all ready
We girls had hamburgers and french fries, laughed
I opened dams, debuted, changed, conquered, loved

We girls retired to Julianne's room
The Top 100 on CJCH
Looking back, the latest year of my life

Read magazines, talked about guys, listened
We laughed and laughed and laughed like maniacs
I opened dams, debuted, changed, conquered, loved

We rang in the New Year with screams, kisses
Screams, laughter, kisses and lots of hugging
Looking back, the latest year of my life
I opened dams, debuted, changed, conquered, loved

- Julia Smith, 1980



















Stan Ski says Here's to 2010.

Susan Helene Gottfried says Brings back a lot of my own memories, my friend.

Apprentice Writer says This was, I think, my first taste of that form of poem.

7 comments:

Stan Ski said...

1980 was a great year - here's to 2010.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Brings back a lot of my own memories, my friend.

M. said...

Hmm. Have to think about what was happening to me that year.

This was, I think, my first taste of that form of poem.

Unknown said...

This brought back memories of my own from New Years 1980. I was in Edmonton, first year away from home for the Holidays. What happened to that girl?

Happy 2010, Julia!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant

Toni said...

I love the paused, gentle quality of this particular form, Julia. As always, I'm amazed at what a talented writer you not only are, but clearly have always been. TFS.
Blessings,
~Toni~
p.s. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Yousei Hime said...

What a delightful reminisce. Isn't the Poetry Train wonderful. Thanks for sharing this!