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Saturday, 19 May 2012

THE SEVENTIES



The transitional seventies: a time to be young,
Of radical innovation: hair dyed pink and green, spiked.
Dancing to Glam Rock on six-inch platforms.

Bolan, Bowie, John, Slade: quintessentially seventies.
Visionary individualists; lifestyle icons, hero worshipped;
Their faces on young girls' tee shirts, a generation inspired.

Gaudy tank-tops, striped; clashing bell bottoms
Copied from catwalk. Candles continually sold out:
Scargill induced strikes, you see; a time of three day weeks.

Gender revolution: equal pay, role reversal.
Girls in men's suits, hair cropped. Flowing curls and makeup for boys.
Sexual free expression - the rise of Whitehouse nemesis.

Of those long-lost seventies, often I find
Legacies disguised in creative newness:
Like in this season's boot-cut, echoes of bells.



17 comments:

  1. I grew up in the seventies and you've summed it all up in a nutshell, well done :-).

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Windsmoke.
      It was a memorable time for me too :)

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  2. Unreal! What it was! What it is! What it will be! Check you two out! Keep truckin!

    What a flash back! :O

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    Replies
    1. Hi Gnome,
      Many thanks. I enjoyed writing this one, it brought back some happy memories :)

      Delete
  3. I became middle-aged in the seventies, but it was a good time for me. You bring it all back so clearly. Thanks for.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Dave.
      It was the photo that prompted me. I came across it while sorting through my old album and just HAD to write something!

      Delete
  4. wow such a refreshing write ... :) I can relate to this too.

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    Replies
    1. Many thanks Celestial Dreamz.
      It seems I've jogged a few memories with this.
      It feels good to have found some common ground with everyone :)

      Delete
  5. Ah yes I remember it well, Those were the days!

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    Replies
    1. Really good to hear from you again Austin.
      Those were indeed the days. Wouldn't mind re-living them, if only for a day!!

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  6. You are right the seventies was indeed 'a time to be young' everything was just vibe,vibe,vibe!! People seemed more alive and filled with joy - well, that's what I remember of the 70's anyway. Brilliant write Ygraine. what a lovely photograph!

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  7. Thank you so much Rose!
    I still remember the seventies with fondness. I suppose all the programmes on BBC at present have prompted all these images to surface in my mind.
    Thought I was alone in thinking everything seems less alive these days. So glad I'm not!
    Thank you for sharing your feelings on the subject. I really appreciate it :)

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  8. My teen years flash before my eyes.
    Thank you for the memories!

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  9. ... and the music will never be matched!

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  10. I absolutely LOVE this poem, and the photograph. Great work.

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    Replies
    1. Hi IcyHighs,
      Many many thanks.
      So glad you liked it :)

      Delete
  11. Hi Dale,
    So glad we have shared memories of our teenage years in the seventies.

    I fully agree - the music of that era will probably remain unequalled forever.
    I loved those days :)

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I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)