Another take on the Writer’s Island prompt, Embark. The journey many of us would love to undertake.
TIME TRAVEL
O, to travel through time…
To the Harlem of Langston Hughes
To feel jazz wash over me and see
faces reflecting the culture of America
To the never-was Wessex of Hardy
To view broad expanses of countryside
and drink warm ale wearing home-sewn clothing
To trace the footsteps of Jesus, follow his sandals
to the lake share, witness the dropping of nets,
the spark of belief in a widow’s face
To occupy even the worst seat at a concert
featuring Jacqueline du Pre or Glenn Gould
To see Billie at Carnegie; Judy at the Palace
To hear firsthand Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”
echoing through every hidden corner of
streets in the Beats’ Greenwich Village
O, to travel through time!
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
Wonderful embarking Amy! Thanks for taking me along . . .:)
Sharp Little Pencil
My pleasure, Debbie. Can you imagine walking among the disciples? Wow… that’s a trip you’d love especially, I think!! Amy
Tilly Bud
Wonderful aspirations. The beauty of time travel is that you don’t have to find the money to attend these concerts, etc 🙂
Your poem did leave me wondering, however: do you get to see the Greats who are alive right now?
Sharp Little Pencil
Not with Time Travel. I’m afraid you have to buy and ticket and attend the show like the rest of the working stiffs! Ha ha, peace, Amy
Fireblossom
Oh heck yes, Langston Hughes! Now there’s a dead poet who should be remembered more. What a great poet he was.
And Allan Ginsberg! I met him once, and he signed my copy of “Howl.”
Time travel. Uh huh. I’m liking the idea!
Sharp Little Pencil
Ginsberg SIGNED your copy of “Howl”? Now there’s a treasure for sure.
And yes, Hughes doesn’t get the readership nowadays that he deserves. Gwendolyn Brooks has picked up a bit, thank God! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Well, we just did, with you, on the wings of your words. Awesome, Amy!!!!! I loved the trip!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Sherry. A little trip for each person in there, I think… Amy
RJ
If you do travel through time, please-oh-please take me with you!
Sharp Little Pencil
I wouldn’t consider making the journey without you, Sheila Harris, Sara Gwen, my daughter Riley, and Colette D! Need my goilz with me!
Kim Nelson
Oh! I would take that journey, too! So many pivotal, magical moments to explore!
Sharp Little Pencil
…and I only listed the first that came to mind! Didn’t even get to Piaf, the Buddha, the monks of early centuries chanting… oh, and the studios of the Impressionists! Good thing I know when to stop = that wish list could have gone on for pages = and ages! Thanks, Kim. We’ll save you a seat. Amy
vivinfrance
I am transported. Thank you. You can see Hardy’s Wessex – in Dorset, England, though sadly the motor car among other modern inventions has destroyed the ambience!
Sharp Little Pencil
I knew you would appreciate the Wessex lines – my friend Nan and I are huge Hardy fans. Someday, hope to get to England, as well as Ireland – roots in both places. And then on to Paris and Florence and… ! (Dream big, right?)
Thanks, Viv! Amy
Amanda Moore
what an awesome idea time travel gosh I wish I had thought of that not just for this prompt but any prompt what great writing thanks for the trip!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, thanks, Amanda! We’re taking reservations; I’ll make sure you’re included on the list! Amy
Berowne
>>O, to travel through time… To the Harlem of Langston Hughes…
To the never-was Wessex of Hardy… <<
And to the Paris of the twenties, to see Josephine Baker (pronounced "Bahkair," if you please), dancing in her incredible miniskirt made of bananas. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, you KNOW your Josephine Baker, for sure! And remember her “rainbow tribe” of adopted children? Mia Farrow took a page from her book, I do believe…
If the time machine is ever created, I will put you on the reservations list – a lot of us plan to go! Peace, Amy
uponthewingsofnight
I would definitely jump at the chance to hear Langston Hughes in Harlem reading his wonderful words. Also wouldn’t mind catching jazz gigs down in the Village back in the day. Ah, so many places to time travel…