My Expiration Date Approaches
I've lived just long enough
that I'm completely obsolete.
The most beautiful cars were built
between 1962 and 1968-
the 250 GTO, 250 LM
and 330 P4. The Alfa GTV,
the Lotus 29. All the Cobras.
The first GT 350 and
the doomed, but splendid,
first year GT40.
My fashion sense deceased
once penny loafers became too dressy.
Sassoon hair became passé',
and YSL decided to die.
After Gravity's Rainbow,
every novel disappointed.
And how can anyone, anywhere,
surpass Elizabeth Bishop?
Architecture died with Louie Kahn
despite flirtations with Robert Venturi.
Retrograde in every way,
I fear a future fit for creeps
and balding narcissists.
While I breathe, I'll cling
to what was perfect when I was young
and strong enough to care.
that I'm completely obsolete.
The most beautiful cars were built
between 1962 and 1968-
the 250 GTO, 250 LM
and 330 P4. The Alfa GTV,
the Lotus 29. All the Cobras.
The first GT 350 and
the doomed, but splendid,
first year GT40.
My fashion sense deceased
once penny loafers became too dressy.
Sassoon hair became passé',
and YSL decided to die.
After Gravity's Rainbow,
every novel disappointed.
And how can anyone, anywhere,
surpass Elizabeth Bishop?
Architecture died with Louie Kahn
despite flirtations with Robert Venturi.
Retrograde in every way,
I fear a future fit for creeps
and balding narcissists.
While I breathe, I'll cling
to what was perfect when I was young
and strong enough to care.
"After Gravity's Rainbow,
every novel disappointed."
And that closing. **
Great work. Yes, the close. *
Best of read of yours yet.
*Ive read
Great harumph! And, yes, "strong enough to care." *
*
The Boomer's lament, for sure, well-said.*
Thank you, Rachna, John, Neil, Matt, Amanda, and Gary.
Strong way to close. The opening stanzas take me back Saturdays at Tates News on Moore St., Bristol, VA - the shelves of magazines... and Motor Trend.
Enjoyed the poem. *
Thank you, Sam.
Motor Trend, Road & Track, Car and Driver. Skillern's Drug was my reliable source of automotive news. And milkshakes.
And what was amazing, we didn't think we were entitled, it was just what was. Time passes and generations change. A 58 Poncho, now that was power and class. Take your Prius try to lay real rubber, fuggetabutit. *
Thank you, Daniel.
"...I fear a future fit for creeps
and balding narcissists."
I fear that future, too. I appreciate the generational perspective as well as the malaise that accompanies watching on (along with the outright fear of what's to come).
Sassoon hair will come back*
Jen I hope Sassoon hair does come back. The only austerity worth talking about is aesthetic and Sassoon had it right.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
"All the Cobras." All of them.
Thanks, Steve.
Fine! *
Thank you, Brenda.
*, Gary. A good summing up. Maugham would be proud. All the good music was back there, as well.
Thanks, David.
I like too much of the music happening now to claim the superiority of the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, Bowie, Joni Mitchell, R.E.M., Talking Heads and so on.