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The Lawrence Welk Show
| Open Poetry #47 |
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The Lawrence Welk Show |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
This poem is a sarcastic parody of a once loved TV program,loved by Americans that thought (and some still think) that Mayberry once existed, and that all housewives should still wear June Clever pearls, around the house everyday. It was written after I watched an old Lawrence Welk show on a PBS channel. Everyone on the show was very clean, but I saw through that mask, and wrote what I thought was really going on behind the scenes.  Lawrence Welk circa 1959 Bob clarinet dons bottle-thick specs; Sways for a moment, But there's no snake to charm. Playing eight to the bar, A fast boogie rhythm, Driving fast with his horn, That Art Shaw couldn't catch . Barry (beside him) Whips his brass tenor Sax to catch up to The light speed of Don, Which makes him red in the chops-- He sights through his comic book X-ray lenses, and tickles the keys With eyes panning sides. Seeking bare visions Of wrapped dancing virgins Around him all twirling, In crinoline slips Adorned with tarpaulins', Well dressed for the test. Leroy, the stick man, Bangs the bright dishes Rhyming on skins, to carry the tune Of "I'm looking over" But he drags on clover As the chippies line up, For the next listed song. Which is something about shuffling Mentioning buffalo, the canaries all sing Wagging bright silver tongues In blackface, Jeff-exits A dark racist closet, pretending To tap-dance, and carnival juggle, Clicking the stage, While tossing up melons; He speaks in brer rabbit- And Al Capp jargon, While dancing with white-girls Dressed up in burlap, Singing and dancing To Al Jolson songs. In the back, a young-hen straightens her feathers, Applies purple shadow to blue and black bruises, Made fresh by the fist of a stagehand nearby. Who dented her face When she made his rooster crow; Said yes! Got scared Clucked no! So he hit her! Now she sports makeup, The kohl-eye kind. Anal retentive, knights in white satin Sing (holy) cool water, Near a blonde In nun-habit, when all of a sudden Dear Larry arises Takes over the dance floor, And brings on the clap(s)-- Ah one! and uh two! his wand points the way To Mister Lombardo who hides understage And waits for his cue, to pop from the trap As if it were new years, his most-favorite day. "Good night sweet heart, good night" [This message has been edited by ice (01-14-2012 09:26 AM).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
The 50's wore a lot of masks, some fun, some subterfuge, some evil in nice clothing... yet we still ask, where are they now of the youngest from those times, hoping that they survived.  Good job, Ford. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
We didn't have a TV in 1959. We were living in Italy from 1956 - 1960. It was all record player, or radio, only. But when we got back to Texas in the late 60’s, my mom and dad would watch that show. I think they believed in Mayberry, but after going through WWII, and Korea, they wanted to believe. I could never fault them for that. As for me, I hardly ever watched TV when we had one. I was almost never at home and if I was I was outside running around, but if I was at home and that show came on, well, it was time for me to "Exit Stage Right." Enjoyed the read, and the memories, ice. JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Maranatha! |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I hated that damn show. As young as I was I could spot phoniness a mile away when that plastic show came on. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways ~*~ |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
I would feel left out, having never actually experienced this show in it's heyday, but your poem and the subsequent replies are so engrossing. I love the fleshiness of the images in your poem; and how a person can see and then see and then see. Nothing ever really is exactly as it seems on the surface; even clear glass under a microscope has pits and shadows. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Sunny "The 50's wore a lot of masks" indeed they did." But not as many, I think , than this present age. Is this is the time period that tea party people want to go back to? Thanks for the reply.....:-) ****************************************************** JL Thank you for the brief history of your life in the period of the poem. An interesting time of life for you for sure. And thank you for reading the poem...I always enjoy your replies. ******************************************************* Jerry I don't like that show, then, or now. "plastic show", yup that's what it was. It was on for a long time, but in the mid sixties Iwas listening to Dylan and Hendricks, and Lawrence was the symbol of establishment. Thanks for reading, and the reply. ********************************************************** Nicole The show is still on public TV sometimes, maybe you can catch it there. "fleshiness" of images...wow! what a good descriptive word....:-) "even clear glass under a microscope has pits and shadows" And it is those pits and shadows that have to be written about sometimes, in raw flesh ways. Thanks for the reply. |
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twistedpup Member
since 2011-02-25
Posts 115 |
"Good show! Good show!" -claps- Your referance to june clever pearls was apsoulutly priceless! I have never actually watch the show you are writing about but you painted a wonderful picture. Thank you for writing this poem, i really enjoyed reading it. *hugs* |
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EmmaRose Senior Member
since 2011-03-02
Posts 1376Midwest |
Wow talk about crystal blue persuasion !! Who knows what lurks beneath any seemingly 'normal' slice of americana. Maybe it just is what it is, but I liked your spin |
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bel1e Senior Member
since 2006-07-24
Posts 1631 |
Ha ha....I think there are quite a few modern shows that may be comparably described...and of like value nowadays....enjoyed you, ice man |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
quote: No, Ford, I think not - but I do believe they wish to go back to thinking they own a part of the government. You know, the one where we vote in the politicians, and we believe they are working in our behalf? The one our Founding Fathers strove for? I think that's what the Tea Partiers are about. The government, working for the people. Although, our eyes have been opened so much, there's no way to go back into the dark, warm, fuzzy room of black and white dreck. |
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