Saved by the Bell

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Fri, 13 Nov 2009
  • 3941 reads
17 comments
 

The dear old Olivetti, with its inky keys
and their tendency to sticking,
and oft-times, misspelling.

Keys with relentless fists of steel,
that flailed each sheet of paper
with stolid determination.

Keys which hammered on, regardless...
till the end of the line - floored
by that indefatigable bell.

Keys that yelled, with gusto,
“I’m working. Please, do not disturb!”
replaced by technocratic innovation.

Keys that told, both the truth
and an inadvertent lie, presently rusting
on some junk-heap...

or, at best, gathering dust
in a bric-a-brac shop – to end their days
a tear in some nostalgic eye.

Keys that enchcanted, perplexed, excited,
keys I cut my author’s teeth on...silenced,
yet through it all, the word survives.

Certificate U
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by richielee70 on
do you remember the ZX81 ? the spectrum ?hehe

roger higginbottom

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Ah, yes! It was introduced in the early eighties, I think...The first 'cheap' home computer innovatively marketed by Sinclair. I never used one because by that time I'd given up my office job to raise the family. What I do remember after my Olivetti typewriter, was the introduction of the 'golf balls' in the seventies. They were little devils though, always going wrong, or at least mine was. And my very first 'portable typewriter' in the sixties was called a 'Corona' and that was my favourite of all. I think my mum and dad bought it for me on my sixteenth birthday. Those were the days! My thanks to you for reading, richie and for jogging my memory. Have a good weekend;-) Tina

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Ah, I remember it well! I believe I got the first ZX81 prototype. I had ordered a ZX80 which was the first Sinclair affordable computer and was supplied with the next model which I think was still at the stage of development. Very limited memory. I too had a Corona typewriter but that was a present to me from myself. Anyway I digress. A lovely nostalgic poem, Tina, and so true: technology may become obsolete but the word will last forever. BTW I have now posted a truly fresh poem based on the current IP. Kisses, Luigi

 

Submitted by Curse of 222 on
a very enjoyable read this is. my very first writing was done on an old typewriter that i found in a friend's attic. i had a bear of a time finding ink-ribbons for it. jason

jason

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi, Jason. Please don't remind me about the ink-ribbons. I used to get my fingers in such a mess, trying to fit the devils to my machine. They would end up twisted, round the wrong way, and completely to pot!! My thanks to you for reading and for sharing your memories;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-spun-sand like the 1st verse The dear old Olivetti, with it;s inky keys and their tendency to sticking and oft-times misspelling Yes I remember Olivetti belated dad had Remington clack clack! and once I had an electric one couldn't get on with backspace and mistake-- eee In office young I'd learn't shorthand bit someone said Horses head shorthand I knew meant but keep up typing no! so put me upstairs joining big knobs one mistake 12 carbons had do again and tipex do you remember! hated. julie xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Tippex - yuk! I was forever spilling it on my clothes, etc. My thanks to you for reading, Julie. Glad it brought back some memories for you. Have a good Sunday. Tina;-)x

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-spun-sand Loved title 'Saved by the bell' your's I must be the cat with 9 lives' 'Dancing Puddles' happened other day here! I'm deciding to book in day centre or xmas day and few I know. good few I know. Always wanted go away xmas. I was gobsmacked he! went out 2nd day tells me try to get on? won't shop with me doesn't like it! furious. It's hours he out snooker and x wok pal she split but to go of next day again enough is enough snooker.Years on night's another story I do all without him sham like this now.So must get out space! I used to help ch; shelter now new one heard but they don't come and do you work do they homeless all be waited on and shop give me mince pies for them and toys if I did toy stall it was great!boxing day film. wonderful dinner good all gave time up. Everything then was done by prayer+ and laid out well all take part 7 years. Best part was asked buying all asked gloves,hats a gift all we did homeless.and market for fete's buy and priests collect for me.I buy dolls and toys wash and clean hair.etc; Iv'e had a big clear out cards and photos! ripped up some shouldn't. feel good.Not on deeds after 30 years when he went once am now, so all make sure you are? get my anger of him out of me.There's a song called 'Stand by me' never has.really oh: well how boring.I;m not going church time is gone there washing left all out. stop moaning.!!He says now I'm only nice to those I meet not true.Families and him problems.All young and old died war Afghan still families etc; can't get on. sad. !Bring me sunshine'.smile xx we have nothing in common to be included is was the key? X factor great but arguments win sides.Wanted see Abba not at £20 ticket going give it to young hero d aged only 20 doing walk 9 miles and for hig regiment in paper.Think to old walk both ways. I was up till 1.am on here after x factor. Bad weather forecast.Have a good week end only use mug to keep other gave someone liked. julie xx x cavalcader -:) toodle-loo for now.

Submitted by tcook on
Ah - the day they took our typewriters out of the IRN newsroom was one of the saddest of my life. Suddenly the clatter that marked the build up to each hour and the next news bulletin was silenced. The frenzied rise and fall of our lives was taken away. I loved the sound of twenty hapless journalists smashing two bits out of their typewriters, ripping the paper from the roller and screaming 'copy' with seconds to go.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Did anyone ever tell you how good a writer you are, Tony;-) I love the sentence:- 'The frenzied rise and fall of our lives was taken away'. In fact, your whole description of the IRN newsroom made the place come alive for me - never having been anywhere quite like that myself. Thank you for sharing in such a colourful way. Tina

 

Submitted by sarah wilson on
I loved my Olivetti golf ball when rushing out press releases in the good old days of PR when you could send a client a piece of paper and he would scrawl all over it in red pen. Then they took it away and gave me a word processor. Things were never the same! Great poem Tina xxx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Sarah - funny you should say that about the golf-balls. Where I used to work, our boss spent hundreds of pounds equipping all us admin with said golf-balls. Six month's later a rep came in and demonstrated one of the revolutionary, new word processors. He, and of course, we were hooked and he was left with fifteen or so redundant typewriters. Poor chap. My thanks to you for reading and sharing your memories...and don't mention that red pen!!!! Tina xxx

 

Submitted by Beeme on
When I was little I had a pink typewriter, not the typewriters that you are talking about I'm sure but they were great fun to use! I love the poem, just beautiful. My favourite verse is the last x

k.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, Beeme. I know exactly what you are talking about - my granddaughter had one. Yes, they were 'toys' but they worked and in exactly the same way as the 'real' ones. Gosh, I wish I wasn't old enough to remember them, dear Beeme. And I would have loved a pink one;-) Tina x

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Love the repetition in this one Tina - and a very original subject matter too ;) Well done on the cherry! Magic xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thank you, Magic...of course you are way, way too young to remember these wonderful machines. Wish I was;-) Tina xxx

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
New t.cook well done! enjoyed your comments typewriter's Tony But sound of 20 hapless journalists be to much for me! I was learner carbon copy everywhere and noise typists room clackety! clackety! loud.One mistake 12 copies have do all again!foolscap.Children used to have typewriter round circle turned for each letter vaguely remember. Yours is well written Tony. Be in touch for another 2 mugs soon, I put all buy?but was getting short so put it back, then walk home, it was amazing what happened later!!going into shops!! after Sunday how much please 2 more mugs. I can't do IP not poet but have 2nd hand books of poems shall I find one! and put on or not.kind regards julie x cavalcader (;- "JedEdward still in X factor great.Win will.