Troubadour
Calling all troubadours of decades past,
the philosophers
the storytellers
whose names became synonymous
for weaving narratives into the tapestry
of music.
the Harry Chapin’s
the Bob Dylan’s and Joni Mitchell’s,
the Jim Croce’s
who taught us the relevance of a name,
sequestering the essence of time
in a bottle.
with the accompaniment
of an acoustic guitar
and a minstrel voice,
songs like “Cats in the Cradle”
are forever etched
into the mainstream of our consciousness,
into the vestige of my youth.









Welcome, Dear Kelly 🍷
Now, that you’ve arrived, Stars Rite is in for a real Free Verse treat … like none before.
How delightfully sentimental the vivid clarity of your verbal virtuosity transports us back to a time of musical freewheeling magic, through the creative skills of true American folk artists … those days that will live forever in our youthful minds, hearts, and souls.
Love your perfect title and artwork choices … they set such a sweet ambiance!
Thank you, Dear Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard🖌
Not only have I arrived, but I am in the best of places with the very best of friends! Thank you for all you have done, my friend. I am so looking forward to this new venture!
“Like the pine trees lining the winding road, I’ve got a name, I’ve got a name”—
And I wonder if it is possible to save time in a bottle…It happened in the film, Message in a Bottle, with Robin Wright, Costner and Newman.
The waves roll in and with them memories. I never got to see the others, but I saw Dylan twice. Such a classic, and classic poet.
He and Paul Simon made me first start really listening to the lyrics, the poetry that was theirs.
But with much of the new music, “It’s all over now, Baby Blue.”
great poem…
j.
Speaking of Costner and Robin Wright, did you ever see “Message in a Bottle”? Look it up sometime. Grab a bowl of popcorn beforehand, though…never a moment of this one should be missed. Paul Newman is in it, too. Thank you for mentioning Paul Simon. He and Garfunkel wrote some of the very best lyrics ever sung. Isn’t it wonderful to be here, J?
That was what I said in my previous reply. That movie is a classic. One of Newman’s best performances…I own it and have watched it many times. A very artistic film as well as an emotional one.
j
I am so sorry I overlooked your mentioning that movie too, Jacob! It’s been one of those days!
I have had many of them lately…I totally understand…for me a lot of it is age related. ha ha
I loved Newman’s line to Robin….”you were the best part of this meal and If were 100 years younger, you’d be in trouble.”
One of my other favorite actors is in that movie…John Savage. He was wonderful in Deer Hunter and others.
It’s a really good movie. Bought it on DVD years ago. I love the narration of it. Great dynamic of actors, too! Funny line from Paul, though!
And a very powerful delivery of two words by Newman after they lose Garrett…
On the phone to Theresa…when he just says “Hard Times.”
And this is why I love to roam the streams of poetry sites. Someone once sang ‘without music the world dies’ and viewing the world from both sides now, I tend to agree. Exquisitely executed. There seems to be an influx of writers from an other site in here & it’s all the better for it.
I must admit I am somewhat responsible for the influx of writers from another site. We’re all family, and are so thrilled to be here. Thank you most kindly for a welcoming review!
Yes, indeed. With fine poetic flair, you tell us of music and memories that detail our lives. I recall how songs of the past have bookmarked events and special people in my life. Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” always makes me think of that 4’10” girl I once loved. The song “Brandy” by “Looking Glass” always puts me back in 1970’s California, and another girl I knew. How do non-music lovers do it?
There were so many I could have mentioned as true troubadours of music, but I think we each have our own compilation as to who qualifies. I am happy to have your presence here, Sam. Thank you for the smile I am wearing!
You never write a so so poem, Kelly. I’m very glad you’ve arrived.
I could go through a list of people I grew up listening to including the singers you’ve mentioned. Gordon Lightfoot was a favorite besides James Taylor, CSN, Joni Mitchell…and too many rock bands to mention. The 70’s and some of the 80’s were the best time for music. It’s such a shame kids are growing up listening to such poison. Perhaps that’s an element of why our world is so crazy. Anyway, great poem.
Yes indeed, my friend, I have arrived…with many thanks to you for being the first person to put a bug in my ear to join. Then Sam and Richard encouraged me to do so, too. What friends I have in poetry! A thousand thank yous for leading the way!
You’re welcome, Kelly. And don’t forget to hit reply below any comment so they’ll know. :))
I am joining this convo. Love the piece you posted here. Immediately, the song The Times They Are A-Changin’.came to mind
Oh yeah, Bob was somewhat of a prophet back then.
Hello Fia! So wonderful to meet you! Thank you for your assistance in helping me gain access to my account. What a fabulous venue this is. I look forward to gaining many friendships here, in my new home!
You are welcome. Happy you are here.
Who said romance is dead .. not on our watch eh’ .. and now it will live on here now and for always .. It would be far too easy to fall in love with thy pen dear lady K ..
p.s. I got a thing about good old Mr. Zimmerman .. seen him twice over here in the last three years & a two piece cover version once too called the Big Yellow Tambourine Man Band a smashing Bob n Joni M look and soundalike duo .. check em out, I dubble dare ya .. 💛😎👍🍷
Thanks, I will. Hey, is the navigation here getting any easier for you? It’ll take us a while to get it committed to memory. I still go back to the WC, knowing one day, it isn’t going to be there. It makes finding “Stars Rite” even sweeter! Take care, my friend…and keep in touch!
No, not really any easier as yet, but I’m sure you are right, it is bound to take a while before everything becomes a conditioned reflex ..
I’ve not been able to access the Café for well over a week .. You take care too 😎🍷👍
Try it now! Charlie was there yesterday and it seems to be back to normal, though it’s debatable for how long. Good luck!
Cheers K .. 😎💛🍷👍
Nostalgia waxes warmly in the spill of remembrances, yesteryear’s idyllic Eden 🌼
How wonderful that we have the memory of song! Thank you, Average Joe!
Hoi hoi chère K.,
Your first entrance (your intro perhaps?), I love it a lot.
Bob D released us from the
Love
Ove
Me
De
You
Know
I
Love
You
Tyranny (is that English?) my mum didn’t teach me English….
So I’ll always be grateful for what bob D accomplished!
We must be proud of ourselves too! We write future memories. Of that I’m sure. You did anyway.
Keep ‘em coming dear! Lots and lots of them. And I’ll read them all.
Kind regards, Gus
…thank you most kindly, Gus. I’m still getting my bearings, figuring out all the bells and whistles. Very much appreciate the attention!
Brilliantly penned, Kelly. Into the book it belongs! Amazing write my friend, nowadays it seems most people only care about the hook. I dig the classics myself. Welcome to Stars Rite. Appreciate you.
Damian
I am always thrilled to meet another poet. Thank you for your kindness and the warm welcome. Much appreciate it!
Yes! Live this piece p, and the artists and music you reference. I look forward to reading more of your work!
Thank you. I am thrilled to be here!
Oh, my! This is good. Welcome to the site.
Wow, thank you so much. Feeling quite flattered by the attention…thank you so much, Adagio!
Beautiful work. Great to see you here.
Thanks so much, Thomas! Good to have you here, as well!
Hi Kelly, so glad you told me about the SR and really happy that Fia’s link helped me to create my account here. And on top of this, a musical rendezvous in poetry by a wonderful poet…YOU!!!
Many of my musical influences were some of the ones you mentioned, as well as Carol King, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and, of course, Jimi Hendrix. I think back then, as with many of the youth today, we lived in our music. I firmly believe our generation (baby boomers) had the best music. It was innovative, rebellious, inspiring, and moved us to want and act to create a better world. There was a tenderness, a sweetness, and kindness to it. “Aint no Mountain High Enough” that true romance couldn’t climb. I think your poem, Kelly, could inspire a book with all those “troubadours” as main characters.
It is good to read your poetry Kelly, thanks for posting it.
-Curt (your fellow traveler from SC and WC)
My poetry, and everything I’ll ever write, is for my friends, like you, Curt. Friends I’ve met over the years at the WC, and the years before, at The Starlite Cafe. And now, we’re here. I’d say we’re pretty lucky to STILL be among friends! And it feels real good!