The 70s

The 70s

People talk about the seventies with such disdain,
A decade forgotten, passed by in the main.
A reckless mishmash of bad taste in fashion,
Strikes, power cuts and markets crashin!

Growing up on a Council Estate, schoolmates next door,
Long hot summers, no curfew, endless time to explore.
No worries or cares,
one's future, unawares,
carefree and happy,
hand me down clothes, worn and tatty!

Looked after by Nan, was a treat unmatched,
less discipline, more freedom, door unlatched,
sent to the shop to buy her fags,
note in hand, nasty she said, my first drag!

A towering stoical woman with purple hair,
painted nails, high heels, hugged like a bear,
expensive jewellery, pearl necklace, painted face,
smoked whilst baking, glass of gin kept pace!

A true lady was my Gran in every sense,
Emotionless, British, proud, intense,
A tower of strength, to those who sought chatter,
Not a tear was shed, buck your ideas up, no matter!

I loved my Gran, although we clashed,
Too much like me, her Grandson, oh how we thrashed!
Frivolous and generous, unwisely bipolic,
Stubborn, aggressive, a little neurotic,
characterful with style, old school Dame,
memorable and funny, articulate, no shame!

Growing up in the 70s, was a special time,
innocent and free, complete content!
Content with childhood,
content with friends,
content with profanity,
content to offend!

Then the world changed,
I had to condemn,
my decade of innocence, unable to defend!
Childhood memories, so dear to me,
Became disappointments in adulthood,
shameful acts, to offend!

Times changed too quickly, and part of me remained,
stuck in that shag pile, happy times were strained!
A moment of apology for my manner of growing,
then retraction for doubting the fear of unknowing!

I miss that vulgar decade,
I wish I could restart,
those long days of childhood, friends kept apart!
The Silver Jubilee,
the lack of money,
the disco music,
70s comedy devotee!

An apology for circumstances just isn't in me,
feeling shame for the past in a future we couldn't foresee.
Denying a generation their God given birthright,
and wrongly rewrite history, make acceptable, smoke free!


Luke Martin-Jones - 12 March 2015