’s Song Title Poetry challenges (one of many posts here) kept reminding me of memories in my life when a moment fused with a song and they’ve been mashed together ever since.
1. Walking as a group to the campus movie theater freshman year, finding my feet so slowly the guys ahead start singing “Don’t Follow” and when they reach the bridge, I sing Scared to death, no reason why Do whatever to get me by Think about the things I said Read the page, it’s cold and dead—* Jarrod turns around and gives a nod. “Solid.” He didn’t expect me to know, but I did. 2. I’m in my Alanis Morissette stage of life an angry pupa wobbling against the words. My oldest sister, getting married in a few days mentions a headache: I think it’s the music. I still wish I had turned it off, let her live in her white dress and veil, fishtail. 4. I’m driving at night because my sadness is too big for the walls of our small rental. I’m driving to get away from it, to be in the cloud of it to not be devoured by it, to find a way out of it. I pray that a certain song will come on the radio. It doesn’t, but I like the one that plays. The next song swells. Nice, but no dice. The third song is the one I prayed for Word of God Speak and I’m crying so hard at this tiny miracle that I have to pull the car over. It’s dark and I’m alone, but not alone. I drive home.
*Lyrics from “Don’t Follow” written by Jerry Cantrell, performed by Alice In Chains.
It’s dark and I’m alone, but not alone. -- That says it all.
Your unfolding in this poem is tangible, Margaret.
Yes I also have certain songs that are connected to memories! You've inspired me! Love this so much... Especially the last part 💛