Beatle mania

 

Blood red bleeds along cobbled stone

Of rain washed streets

A neon sign illuminates the cavern 

Ten o’clock and a queue runs

Like a charm along a stick bill wall.

Chatter punctures the iron vaulted sky.

 

Smoke rises like snakes from cigarette ends

And smells like incense.

The scene reminds me

Of Amsterdam’s Canals at twilight.

 

Two door men dressed in

Black bomber jackets

Built like shit houses

At ease like coastal rock

Guard the entrance.

 

A red sash rope

Hooked between two pillars

Hercules and Samson

Radio contact to ground control

On deck down below

 

I’ve arrived at the place where history

In the making was just a sperm

Trying to impregnate the minds of rebel's cause

Where 4 youths dared to be different

And couldn’t give two hoots

about established agendas or political ideologies

 

Now freedom liberates my mind

Transports me on the vibe of music

Rushing up the stairs, vibrating plate glass windows

The mania still lives on.

 

This is where it happened

The life and soul of the north

Breathing and heaving

Like giant lungs between these walls

Shouting peace and liberation

Put down your guns

And make love not war

i was an uncle tom in the army

the queen never really cared.

 

I get goose pimples on my bared arms

The rain is like balm and soothes

My black skin from the cold night air

My new squeeze presses her strawberry cheek

up against mine then kisses me 

I know life has changed for the better

 

She has a daisy in her hair

and a smile on her face

she picked it earlier in the day

at the local park.

 

I remember my childhood

In boy’s brigade, quiz time

Name the 4 beatles…

I was good with insects

Radio 4 was a good encyclopaedia

I had my chance at 1 minute of fame

 

Scarab, Rain…then laughter…

I was sheltered from all that stuff

Stuff that street wise kids

And the well informed

Took for granted…

We didn’t have a telly

And secular music was banned

Because the devil steals our souls that way

 

News stuff…documentaries the odd funny.

Was all we lived on

Nearly 35 years ago.

 

Time moves on as life punctuates the airwaves

Like a big bass drum

 

And now I’m here at world changers ally

With my arm around the shoulder

Of one who died so young

Imagine that…it’s easy if you try

At peace with myself and life’s journey

Without a spliff a drink

Or any of that trouble and strife.