Yes I'm still stuck on you,
the way I was when I was about twelve
and you were, well a bit older than me
but so gorgeous with your dark, dark eyes
full curled lips and that floppy hair.
The way you moved to the music
made me blush and feel things
I'd never felt before, or probably since -
though some years later I tried
to get my boyfriend to look like you,
be like you (shame he couldn't sing like you)
and we did give each other teddy bears
in honour of that song; but I think he knew
it was your teddy bear I really wanted to be,
and not his.
You will never know I painted you
as you were towards the end -
it was the first painting I ever sold
and some poor man bought it for his wife.
I didn't like to tell him she would probably
have much preferred the young slim you
on her wall - swivel-hips and everything -
but typical me, I have never been able to
paint beauty so I did it My Way,
exaggerating your puffy, bloated face,
crying over every brush stroke as I worked.
But still I loved you and now on your
whatever-it-is birthday, I can look at your
youthful self on my brand-new calendar,
listen to that deep velvet voice singing the words
I'm saying to you now - I'm stuck on you,
still stuck on you...so happy birthday
Elvis, wherever you are.
Comments
Silver Spun Sand | January 8, 2011 - 20:50
Loved this, Coral;-) 'All Shook Up' was the first record I ever bought.
Much enjoyed and thank you for bringing back poignant memories.
Tina
seashore | January 8, 2011 - 22:32
Thanks, Tina. You have to be a fan to appreciate this one! So glad yo know where I'm coming from....
I remember watching Jailhouse Rock at the cinema and I was gone - but it's strange my younger daughter and her best friend always give eachother Elvis cards for birthdays so it's not just our generation!
fatboy74 | January 9, 2011 - 19:41
I like the idea Seashore of you forcing your poor boyfriend to dress and look like Elvis - I wonder how much he enjoyed it, he must have been head over heels! Enjoyed this one - well done. :-)
Cavalcaderl | January 10, 2011 - 00:38
new Seashore
I enjoyed this too.
Well deserved cherry!
It's going back,I loved Elvis
many records, I collected and bought,
and markets cheap.I have a magnet on fridge.
Mine had road accident,money some I bought whole
load Elvis.Young days used have wind up record player
and work pal near me,jive to "You ain't nothing but a hound dog". "Teddy Bear". "You saw me cryinging in the chapel". "Are you lonesome to-night". No room so
sold in the end. My belated mum got me go show look
a like Elvis,still have mag; Elvis on cover.And also
good one at The Marina recently,had to jive.I don;t think he will ever fade out what ever age.The suits lovely.And songs singing.
julie xx
seashore | January 10, 2011 - 09:20
Thanks fatboy and Julie.
Julie - for sharing your memories and I agree, Elvis will never fade away; he was unique.
Yes fatboy, the boyfriend was fortunately keen on Elvis too and also looked uncannily like him so there weren't too many complaints at the time but you never know!!
Mr. Moon | January 23, 2011 - 01:40
Perhaps you never were able to paint beauty, but you certainly create it here. I'm enjoying your work immensely.
seashore | January 23, 2011 - 10:23
Oh Mr Moon, thank you so much for saying that! It means a lot to me as I don't find writing easy at all and am in awe of those who manage to be both good and prolific at the same time!
Prettyrose | August 30, 2011 - 01:12
Hi Seasore :) I loved how you made it about Elvis but lead us at first too a young school boy/girl crush.
Well done :)
Keep Writing
Keep Smiling :)))
seashore | August 30, 2011 - 09:53
Thank you so much Prettyrose (lovely name!)for finding this one and commenting.