At twenty years old I was a man, an adult,
I knew it all, and was living through
the greatest decade in history,
Manchester was the centre of the universe,
the music and films and the whole vibe
of the 1990’s was out of this world.
To my twenty year-old-self, fifty years old was old,
my father at that age, was ancient,
his grey thinning hair and middle-aged fashion
pegged him as an old feller,
when I would show off my brand new shirt
my mother would say with a smile,
your father used to have one just like that.
Now as I near the big five-oh myself,
sixty doesn’t seem so very old,
Seventy is getting on a bit,
and I refer to octogenarians
as being a good age,
rather than detailing the hill,
and how far over it they are.
These days I look at twenty year olds
as though they are still in the playground.
I scoff when they say they have never seen
Trainspotting or heard of Jarvis Cocker.
I talk of the 1990s with fond nostalgia
the way my father would speak of the Sixties,
my playlist still crammed with 90’s indie bangers.
I find myself wondering just when it happened,
when did modern music become a noise to my ears,
when did they stop making TV shows
like they used to,
when did my day, my era, my youth,
my glory days, when did they finish?
Soon enough, and before they know it,
the kids singing the latest pop tunes
and going along with today’s trends
will themselves pine for this era
and its soundtracks.
They will give the complaint that is
passed down to each generation,
that things were better in our day.
-
Author:
Tom Dylan (
Offline) - Published: June 10th, 2024 02:17
- Comment from author about the poem: It occurred to me that each generation thinks that theirs was the best to grow up in. That gave me the idea for this poem.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 20
Offline)
Comments6
this is so today sir Tom .. indeed it is excellent young man .. & no kidding, you got it spot on .. Neville
Thanks a lot, mate. Really appreciated.
Glad Tom, that you ‘refer to octogenarians as being a good age’ and will ignore the hill in the interests of a harmonious relationship.
My only point is that, despite all the fun I had in reading your poem (plenty), I must insist that times in the sixties and seventies were easier and more just for many of that generation, although not for all.
Thanks for your comments, Dave. Appreciated.
It might have been the bad old days! lol.
Haha! Nice on, Orchi. 🙂
Such wonderful and true words Tom.
I think that good 'pop' music stopped in the 1970's, my teenage years were the 1960's, a great time that changed the world.
Andy
Thanks for your comments, Andy. That's the debate, isn't it? My era was the 90's and my parents still consider my music, that's 30 yrs old, as modern rubbish! 🙂 But yeah, the 60's was THE era.. no doubt. For me, The Beatles outshine everything else.
https://youtu.be/p6xMOTjLIaY?si=8ArzGGr1QcUoqdD0
Right on point. I thought the same. At 57, I'm just learning. Tremendous work.
Thanks a lot, Thomas. Really appreciate your comments, my friend.
It seems it happens to most of us as we age. We reflect on the years gone by and remember those times as being best. I certainly believe the music of the 60’s and 70’s to be incomparable lol. I enjoyed your reflective piece Tom.
Yes, that's exactly it. And you're so right about the 60's music. 🙂 Thanks a lot for your comments, Cassie.
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