"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul"
Line from "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley
We survived in spite of ourselves
the war took boys gave back men
shadows behind their eyes
the kind that linger in corners
even after lights come on
II.
it was a time of whispered grief
secrets kept in drawers
mothers who never wept
in front of their children
somewhere under linoleum floors
something tapped a rhythm not quite dead
III.
suburbs rose square and safe
white fences and welcome mats
televisions flickering promises in tidy living rooms
mothers baked pies, fathers mowed lawns
we pledged allegiance, kept our shoes polished
ducked and covered, hiding our dreams
IV.
i was forged in that era, but did not stay there
behind Sunday sermons and shiny Chevrolet coups
my soul tugged at the ropes
yearning to steer, learning to choose
i became master of my fate, captain of my soul
the world demanded it
i answered with a resounding “yes”
We had a Chevy coupe with a GMC engine as a race car back in my days of freedom. We had a really hot hopped up 1934 blue Ford coupe that won races. Won until we blew the engine and our sponsor wouldn't pay to a New worked up engine.
ReplyDeleteOur main driver was a paratrooper in WWI, sometimes it showed. The race car was a diversion to his feelings about the war. Too much for his wife, I was under the Ford car working when she left. Suizecace in hand she hollered from the driveway to Bill, "You like this d' . . . old car more than me!"
..
So much complexity defined that era. So much change too.
ReplyDeleteI think it has truly been the greatest time to experience one's life. (Well, for those of us in the Western countries anyway.) Growing up in the relatively calm and affluent forties and fifties (with our parents remembering the lessons of War and Depression), entering young adulthood in the magical sixties .... and it seeming, until recently, that on the whole we were moving towards an even better future, that the ills could and would be fixed ... I begin to feel glad that I probably won't see too much of the pendulum swinging back the other way.
ReplyDeleteNow it's time for the East to enjoy their lives. Maybe one day, the world will find a balance and life can be enjoyed by all.
DeleteWhat insightful thoughts and so beautifully written - with sensitivity and much insight - Jae
ReplyDeleteFor so many people living in a suburb defined success and security. I'm glad my parents wanted a farm, though.
ReplyDeletePK
Love the sense of ownership and doer-ship.
ReplyDeleteOthers mustn't and cannot steer our ship!
Helen, I love the time I grew up in, and learned to question all that didn't seem right.
ReplyDelete