Poem never made it to my blog until now – yet it was my first proper freestyle rant (on gentrification of L.A.), written while I was hanging with Riley, Marcia and Jesse on a trip to SoCal. Reason I’m putting this up? A friend of mine needs a KICK IN THE BUTT to jump-start writing her own stories of those years. God, I miss it so, the Boardwalk, the cheap breakfast, the neverendingness of it all… Amy
Venice Then and Now (1979, 2012)
We were free spirits, flowing with our Karma
Floating in a pot-scented breeze
But now it’s all money disease
Dis-ease about security sucks marrow from bone
Creativity from full-blown, fine, eclectic minds
The intersection: Hollywood & Vine… correction: What I Owe vs. What Is Mine
In your soul, the blues; on your mind, the dues
Paying for the right to live here, by the whispers of waves
Near palatial pavilions of the potently paid
Praying we could once again live back then, back when all was sensual, all serene
And the Venice Boardwalk a little less Green
Rave all we want, the money’s moved in
It’ll never move out ‘til tsunamis tumble Venice back to the trashy look
of hash-clouded, bearded marginals
Undulating madrigals with open guitar cases
Accepting quarters from faces unlined by gotta do gotta go gotta take this call
It’ll take the fall of L.A. to get it back to stay
No matter how much money they spend, there’s always more expense
for parking meters, Margaritas, Mercedes-Benz
What became of the real-deal drifters, grifting their way through a shroom-filled haze
Jingles and Frank and ragged reggae days
Muscle-bound bods of men well-oiled, well-pumped, unshod
Stores with honey-drenched Haagen Dazs in paper cups with wooden spoons
A pennyweight on a Mylar balloon –
we sent it skipping ghostlike toward the Venice Canals
Now they’re scum green
But the ducks don’t mind, they’re doing fine
Today I said hi and they called back
Money can’t make ‘em go anything but QUACK
If ducks = local charm, then why not beach bums, doing no harm?
Charm, like beauty, in beholders’ eyes
No room for human clutter, sweep ‘em in the gutter
like Rudy’s 42nd St., makes me shudder
The rich have L.A. well in hand
No handouts, no hand-me-downs, just put ‘em out, put ‘em down
Set down roots upon roots much deeper, roots of hippies without beepers, laptops,
Blackberry speakers attached to the ears of societal sleepers
Cops in Oakwood busted humble places – put those grandmas on their faces
Fat cats watch the breaking story – 5:00 talking head in her glory
Unless it’s your grandma’s face on the floor, it’s a sound byte, nothing more
And folks who really give a shit don’t have time to protest it
Scrimping, scraping takes its toll – staying, praying Rent Control isn’t eaten whole
by well-heeled leeches who want their condos near the beaches
Rich vs. Poor, at the boiling point
God, this city needs a joint
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Polly Robinson
Oh, my, that’s a vivid picture you’ve painted ~ I know which version, I’d prefer.
The tone is right, the rhythm inexorable. Love the final two lines.
Sharp Little Pencil
Polly, thanks so much. The final two lines just popped out after ranting – and even though I don’t “use” anymore, I felt like I need one, hee hee
vivinfrance
Most of the references are lost on me, but I like the feisty, up yours attitude and the word play of this accomplished piece of work. Odd – I always thought Venice was in Italy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Viv, Venice Beach is next to Santa Monica and part of the greater Los Angeles region. The “Venice” part refers to canals they built while the little bungalows sprang up years and years ago. At one time, all artistic types could afford a little place. Now it’s all nouveau riche and “trust fund babies.” Bleah. Thanks for the “feisty” part, yeah, I knew you could relate! Amy
vivinfrance
Thanks for the explanation, Amy – My remark was kind of tongue in cheek, as I know that all over America there are places which were given European names by their original immigrant founders, and imagined your Venice was something like that. The canals makes it all more relevant!
oldegg
Although we haven’t shared memories this certainly pushed my thinking back to the unofficial history of my life. I must pen something for my family to wonder at later. Hell it was fun.
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s always fun until someone loses an eye, right?! No, really, do the history. Your kids and future generations will appreciate it. A
Roger Green
Hey, you should stick with this writing thing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ya think? Ha ha, thanks, Roger!
Lance
the last line made me laugh because when I was there in 2007, it needed something like that too.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oooooh babe, you’re so right. Or is it still “right on”? (I know, I’m a dinosaur for using that expression, but hell, my aunt says it all the time, and she’s 90!!)
Lance
right on
deanabo
You painted a terrific picture with your words.
Jae Rose
What a story..I wish I could have been there too..thank you for taking me on this little trip..everywhere needs a joint these days!
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister.
brian miller
hahaha…this city needs a joint…smiles…ugh…what a reality you have painted in this…and what a cool rhtyhm to your words as well…its bee about 8 years since i was on the left coast, sadly…but by your picture, maybe not…
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, I think NYC, in particular the subway, needs the same thing! So hard to chill in NYC, for me, anyway…
josie2shoes
Absolutely awesome, all of it! Made me smile remembering how life used to be!
Sara v
Oh Amy, you really made me laugh!! I know that it’s serious stuff, but that ending, so perfect–the rhyming was amazing. And as always, you paint my friend–you paint, so well!! I’m a northern cal girl, who lived a short time in La Jolla (yes, it is a jewel), anyway, brought back memories…wow
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks to ALL for comments. I’m visiting your blogs now… see ya on the flip side! Amy