June 11, 2007
I think this one is still a work-in-progress; we shall see. Once again, feel free to post today and jump on Rhian‘s poetry train. There are few cooler than Rhian.
Nine PM
Nine PM
Half-hour to the headliner.
I walk on the stage.
Opener’s finished.
Crowd’s worked up.
I been here since 6AM
I’ll be here another four hours or so.
But Nine PM
That’s my break.
My nightly laugh.
The cattle cheer when they see me.
The place comes alive.
The air snaps.
Like I’m the star,
Not just some roadie
With a job to do.
Most guys,
It’d go to their heads.
They’d get a few girls
hand out promises they couldn’t keep —
or wouldn’t.
Either way, it’s the same thing.
Guy gets laid.
Girl goes home.
Alone.
Right now, I got a job to do.
Walk across the stage.
Make sure everything’s plugged in
Gaffed down
Like it’s supposed to be.
Leave again.
It’s simple like that.
Good.
Easy.
After the day I just had, I need that.
And those yelling fans
Wake me up real good.
Bronx cheer or real,
Don’t make no difference to me.
They can scream until they can’t no more.
Won’t bring the band out any faster.
Nine-thirty’s their time.
Nine’s mine.
Rhian / Crowwoman
June 11, 2007 8:09 am
this was awesome Susan! Brought back all kinds of memories for me. I swear my ears were just ringing with that after-pounding, and i could almost TASTE the funky stage smell of sweat, coppery tang of electronics, and over heated rubber tangled in the bitter scent of weed.BR/BR/Excellent poem wench!
Joy Renee
June 11, 2007 8:28 am
captures a unique voice nicely. I can almost hear him speaking. he sounds like a no-nonsese guy. and someone who has the kind of ambivalent that I imagine many performing artists must haveBR/BR/this week mine is a poem inspired by the many children who’ve blessed my life over the years–on my mind because two of them graduated last week and another is getting married next weekend. another two are in the military.
Lisa Andel
June 11, 2007 8:31 am
I really liked this poem. At first I assumed it was a she, and the feature performer. I was pleased (and surprised) to find out it was a male. And loved the fact that he was a roadie.BR/BR/My favorite lines were the last two: “Nine-thirty’s their time.BR/Nine’s mine.”BR/BR/Or rather the last one, based on the one before it.BR/BR/Great ending. 😉
julia
June 11, 2007 10:20 am
“Bronx cheer or real,BR/Don’t make no difference to me. BR/They can scream until they can’t no more.BR/Won’t bring the band out any faster.BR/BR/Nine-thirty’s their time.BR/Nine’s mine.”BR/BR/Love the end of this poem, the whole thing is great!! Really strong narrator. Love it.
RED GARNIER
June 11, 2007 11:07 am
I loved this, Susan. Yes, it does have a unique voice and I can picture myself in his mind PERFECTLY, in the whole scenario. I LOVED IT!! Great job – as usual. =)
loopdlu
June 11, 2007 11:42 am
it made me see him, probably in a black tee and jeans, doing his thing, maybe making eye contact with a hot chick as he bent over to hook something up. very strong imagery, and as has been said, unique voice. wonderful!
Carol
June 11, 2007 12:50 pm
Great story and characterization there, paints a real picture of the narrator. Carol
R.G. ALEXANDER
June 11, 2007 1:07 pm
Very vivid! Awesome!
Ann Aguirre
June 11, 2007 1:12 pm
I like the phrase “bronx cheer”
littlebirdblue
June 11, 2007 1:17 pm
Nice!
Anna J. Evans
June 11, 2007 1:31 pm
you do great men! um…you know what I mean? lol. Whenever you write in a male voice I don’t hear a female lurking behind there at all.BR/BR/really enjoyed this little slice of life of a unique personalityBR/BR/anna j. evans
Amy Ruttan
June 11, 2007 6:17 pm
Awesome, I totally was enthralled watching the roadies at the Gwen concert. How fast and studiously they get the job done, and the nice thing about Gwen, she introduces her crew and gives them lots of credit. Great Poem!
Rebecca
June 11, 2007 6:27 pm
I agree with Anna – very authentic-sounding voice of a man. BR/BR/great roadie poem!
Robin L. Rotham
June 11, 2007 6:33 pm
Wonderful, Susan! I haven’t been to a real concert in YEARS, and then only in the audience, but this brought it all back vividly.
Ann
June 11, 2007 6:36 pm
Great poem. Wonderful characterization.
Marcia (MeeAugraphie)
June 11, 2007 11:33 pm
Susan, I loved this. It felt right from the first line all the way to the ending word.
Lori
June 12, 2007 10:19 am
I like it:) You’ve been tagged for a meme! Please visit my post – no pressure – for instructions. Thanks!
RED GARNIER
June 12, 2007 4:10 pm
Hi, Susan – guess what?BR/BR/You’re tagged!BR/BR/Oopsy!BR/BR/But never fear, it’s only for a recycling meme.BR/BR/(Which is a godsend because for a whole day you can recycle a post and don’t need to THINK, ha! Save all those brain cells for your WIP!)
cheesygiraffe
June 12, 2007 7:13 pm
Susan your poem rocks!
Thomma Lyn
June 12, 2007 10:27 pm
Mmmmmmm, I just love that, Susan! What a wonderful voice to that poem — I could see the fella in my mind, savoring his half-hour in the concert sun. :)BR/BR/And speaking of music… I tagged you for a fun music meme I think you’ll enjoy! Come see my blog for details.
Wylie Kinson
June 12, 2007 11:24 pm
Hi Susan – I just tagged you for a meme!
Tempest Knight
June 13, 2007 8:22 am
Very visual! Love it!
spyscribbler
June 13, 2007 10:08 am
I like it, Susan! I don’t know how you do this so well. I’m completely mystified by the art of writing poetry!
Jill
June 13, 2007 8:44 pm
I really like this entry!!! I think it shows really the essence of your character!BR/I have some poem post to my other blog, but they kind of sucks in english!!
Sheila Dalton
June 16, 2007 3:50 pm
That’s a great poem, Susan. I’m glad I discovered your blog. I’m a first time visitor, but I plan to come back.
sister AE
September 17, 2007 10:46 pm
I found this through Weekend Wordsmith. I like this poem a lot. The voice comes through straightforward and simple. I’m on my way to read your others now.
anthonynorth
February 1, 2008 7:14 pm
I used to be in a local rock band. I recall it well.
keith hillman
February 2, 2008 11:52 am
So atmospheric – I felt I was there. Wonderful.
noahthegreat
February 2, 2008 12:02 pm
That’s awesome. I never thought about how a roadie feels when he is setting up the equipment.
LittleWing
February 2, 2008 5:27 pm
going to a concert one never looks at the backside…always the one whose on stage performing…thanks for the open door to see the performance before…
Robin
February 3, 2008 6:08 pm
I love roadie poet. It’s like being inside his head.
Marcia (MeeAugraphie)
February 3, 2008 11:23 pm
Love that you brought us back to Roadie Poet’s poem It was his first wasn’t it? BR/BR/”Nine-thirty’s their time.BR/Nine’s mine.” Stays in my head.
Susan Helene Gottfried
February 4, 2008 8:53 am
Yep, this was the first. BR/BR/Part of the magic of the prompt… You guys really ate up RP in ways I can’t quite get my head around.
Rambler
February 4, 2008 12:31 pm
I do not think its always girl gets to go home alone..sometimes it also depends on what she chooses to be or do
paisley
February 4, 2008 8:54 pm
i always love the poetic interludes in this story……
UL
February 4, 2008 9:24 pm
those last two lines were superb…very nice.
gautami tripathy
February 5, 2008 4:12 am
The cattle cheer when they see me…BR/BR/I liked that!BR/BR/LOL!
Rob Kistner
February 6, 2008 2:30 am
Cool… reminds me of my years in rock during the 60’s 70’s. We weren’t “big time”, we were an “opening act” — but we had two great roadies… Geoff and Andy.
writers island
February 6, 2008 3:24 pm
Hello Islander –BR/BR/This is a note to tell you I’m genuinely happy to see you on the Island. I founded the Island originally as a temporary destination for those of us set adrift when Poetry Thursday sunk. But the Island has flourished… because of writers, like you, who come to enjoy the tropical breeze, and just write — for the sheer pleasure of it! So, the beaches remain open, and all are most welcome!BR/BR/Poetry Thursday is now A HREF=”http://readwritepoem.org/” REL=”nofollow”EMSTRONGReadWritePoem/STRONG/EM/A. Check them out if you haven’t. The crew at A HREF=”http://totallyoptionalprompts.blogspot.com/” REL=”nofollow”EMSTRONGTotally Optional Prompts/STRONG/EM/A is doing a fine job. Both are excellent writing destinations.BR/BR/I am slowed a bit with back pain. This has hampered my time at my computer — so, I have not been able to read much of your work. I will catch up when I’m steadier at the helm. I am dictating this to my wife, who will kindly post it for me. Kathy is a dear!BR/BR/See you on the island. I have a prompt for this Friday I think should spark some fun and interesting writing.BR/BR/May your muse be kind… BR/BR/…RobBR/W.I.