Janis
Ian
By Sherrie Gonzales-Kolb
The record revolves
on the turntable, a
relic from the past,
a past in which singers
made you face yourself
in the mirrors of their
45s, when music
was a solitary experience
meant to heal the wounds
of loneliness in the dark
rooms of introverts.
I've read this several times now so I think I'll dive in with a comment or two. I'm not sure if there are any women around our age who weren't affected by Janis Ian - and I think you've captured the essence of her music with this. This takes me back to many, many hours spent in my room with headphones blasting - music was my refuge. Janis, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Joni...all of them knew me and I them. They did indeed heal wounds...or at least help me to express my feelings.
ReplyDeleteI only have one small suggestion - and it's just my personal taste. I'm not fond of the repetition of the word "past". I understand why you did it - but I just like the sound of the lines better when it's left out: I think this is a very thoughtful poem.
Thanks for your feedback, Angie. I thought that "one in which" was too wordy...I'll play with it a little. My work is never really completed. I edit and re-edit often...and sometimes many years later.
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