franny
bananafish

play it again...
Wed Jan 15 2025

preteen 70's. bell-bottoms and orange striped shirts. the city slang was still in your mouth even out here in the country. you swung high on the swings scaring yourself a little, your stomach falling, but you were young and free...braids hanging from either side of your head...

cut to gym class, knee- high sweat socks and hiding the fact you had your period. tender and tough. you hated getting older. you loved playing floor hockey - here, right here, is where the love of running came from. coach said you grabbed that baton and ran like a mugger who'd just stolen a purse...

14, brought you to trips up north - college town, sitting in on felini flicks and dancing along to the ska band at the club, it was smelly and hot and full of life. you think about scary monsters and lady lazarus, and teddy. there right there, shaped who you'd be - db, the poetess, and zen. you think about the ketchup stains on your new jacket and your polo scented first crush...

15 is such an odd age. not celebratory. at least not back then. but you were in the thick of it, drawing, painting and phenomenology. he was in his 30's. and then there's you- frizzy head, capezios, skinny mod ties, sitting next to a girl with a vial of mescaline...

you were a good girl. did your homework, brushed your teeth, and at sunday mass - prayed for everyone to find inner peace hoping it would effect the world. you handed over your dollar to the basket, cried watching roots, loved your parents, and ran in the sunshine...

you did not know the world.

nor the meaning of time.



2 Comments

  • From:
    D'vorahDavida
    On:
    Thu Jan 16 2025
    Fifteen IS such an awkward age. I don't miss it.
  • From:
    Ksmiley
    On:
    Fri Jan 17 2025
    I was born July 3, 1970 so I grew up in the 70s, 80s. The shows I watched showed the trends and zen you mentioned as a teenager. Now, almost 55 years layer … I find the trends I grew up fade as the years moved forward. Memories galore time you have brought me back to even though the first few years I was a baby to 5 years of age in 1970 through 1975, but have noticed the clothes, makeup, and hair styles of eras before mine and 2025. It will be 55 years for me this year. Thanks for the memories of yesteryear. Love this thought of yours Tovah. Positive energy sent!