I’ve been haunted occasionally by the image of a pre-war apartment building called The Century—not a real place (like the one on Central Park West) but one I imagine, wander into and write from. I’m thinking it must be in Detroit, Cleveland, or maybe LA. It first appeared as the unnamed setting for two poems:
Gloomy, moody, a shout out to the less fortunate ones, just trying to get by in a world where the game is rigged against them. The Zephyr is a train, no? It rumbles past the encampment, giving the other half a view of things they don't want to see, or admit exists.
Yes, the Zephyr is Antrak's Chicago-San Fransisco line. I wouldn't have known that but for the fact I rode it the entire way to to my oldest brother's memorial in Santa Cruz in 2009. Nice of me to add more heaviness to the song, isn't it? :)
Perfect mood to go with the view of Meat Cove I’m looking at now from the window of my camper van. Love the dirge like duet you’ve got going in the verses, the voice and the guitar in contrary motion.
Powerful song. There is a Century building in Detroit (I am from the Detroit area originally). It may not be the same one, but these derelict building exists in any or all cities in the United States or anywhere in the world. Interestingly, a search of the Century building shows a property built in 1923 in Midtown Detroit with renovated apartments. It is now advertised as being an ideal rental location, and I quote "This diverse, artistic community is lined with impressive art galleries, laid-back brunch spots, indie shops, and live music venues. Residents of Midtown Detroit appreciate the neighborhood’s central location and proximity to downtown and the city’s scenic parks along the Detroit River." Regardless, there are plenty of under-privileged people who have to live on the streets.
So much gold! I love Sundays. Your lyrical skills just knock me out. The phrasing and the rightness of the chord structure ( to my ears) , maestro, I live in envy. Renovation made me smile from what I perceive to be the vantage point of the mirror . The perfection of the dropped blade. As a boy I used to imagine the mountains of shards back there!
That dropped blade was a detail lost on me. Are there graveyards of spent razor blades behind old bathroom walls? Were slots installed for this very purpose? I’d love a bit of elucidation here.
Medicine cabinets used to have a slot in the back for razor blade disposal. My Aunt Hazel's house had them. And I rented an apartment in NYC many years ago that had one. They'd just fall into the bathroom wall, never to be seen again, that is until someone decides to renovate. Maybe I should edit the poem for clarity.
Fascinating! I certainly could have looked that up. As far as editing goes, I fear it might come at the expense of the poem*. But you’re the wordsmith; I’m just a hack.
I think it’s OK for poetry to require a reader have some background knowledge, for a detail to pose a mystery to be explored.
And certainly, I could have googled “razor blade slot” and likely found that answer.
* Perhaps a footnote. We do love a good footnote around these parts.
Your song is beautiful. And sad. But I do love that there are two of them, Maggie and me. And that they found two beach chairs. There was comfort in the image of them together. Thank you for the song.
You know, come to think of it, this song kind of hits me as an American version of "You Stay Here", only the threat here is from economic and social forces, not political ones. But maybe that's just me.
Furthermore...your intro paragraph brought to mind Rod Serling’s monologues at the beginning of The Twilight Zone. And with it I could connect all three pieces into such a hugely creative scene. Brilliant. What a cool little film this would make!
I am going to admit to being the dunce in the class here. I have just enough wit to look up Autumn Leaves (because it was capitalized) so I know they were propaganda leaflets the Nazis dropped. Are we in the U.S.? I failed the test on that poem.
I finally got to listen to the song last night, thanks to insomnia. Wonderful! You changed some of the lyrics; to my ears, for the good. I will note that the song will only get airplay by accident on U.S. radio, given the FCC's penchant for fainting spells.
And last but not least, the photo is freakin' fabulous!
Whoa. Regarding Autumn Leaves, I'm going to respond in the body of the post (see above) instead of here in the comments. As for Here Comes the Zephyr, I think the written text replaces what I sang. Thanks for your enthusiasm about the photos! It's not something I've ever taken seriously. Now maybe I will.
Listening to Here Comes The Zephyr while brushing my teeth with the electric toothbrush (fits really well :) and I can see it all as your story unfolds.
Gloomy, moody, a shout out to the less fortunate ones, just trying to get by in a world where the game is rigged against them. The Zephyr is a train, no? It rumbles past the encampment, giving the other half a view of things they don't want to see, or admit exists.
Yes, the Zephyr is Antrak's Chicago-San Fransisco line. I wouldn't have known that but for the fact I rode it the entire way to to my oldest brother's memorial in Santa Cruz in 2009. Nice of me to add more heaviness to the song, isn't it? :)
Perfect mood to go with the view of Meat Cove I’m looking at now from the window of my camper van. Love the dirge like duet you’ve got going in the verses, the voice and the guitar in contrary motion.
Thanks Sadie. Meat Cove. I had to look it up. What a spot. The dirge is my happy place.
Me too. I got Nothin’ playing on a constant loop. To see my pics of Meat Cove (what a name) follow my Instagram @sadiebklyn.
Powerful song. There is a Century building in Detroit (I am from the Detroit area originally). It may not be the same one, but these derelict building exists in any or all cities in the United States or anywhere in the world. Interestingly, a search of the Century building shows a property built in 1923 in Midtown Detroit with renovated apartments. It is now advertised as being an ideal rental location, and I quote "This diverse, artistic community is lined with impressive art galleries, laid-back brunch spots, indie shops, and live music venues. Residents of Midtown Detroit appreciate the neighborhood’s central location and proximity to downtown and the city’s scenic parks along the Detroit River." Regardless, there are plenty of under-privileged people who have to live on the streets.
So much gold! I love Sundays. Your lyrical skills just knock me out. The phrasing and the rightness of the chord structure ( to my ears) , maestro, I live in envy. Renovation made me smile from what I perceive to be the vantage point of the mirror . The perfection of the dropped blade. As a boy I used to imagine the mountains of shards back there!
I love Sundays!
That dropped blade was a detail lost on me. Are there graveyards of spent razor blades behind old bathroom walls? Were slots installed for this very purpose? I’d love a bit of elucidation here.
Medicine cabinets used to have a slot in the back for razor blade disposal. My Aunt Hazel's house had them. And I rented an apartment in NYC many years ago that had one. They'd just fall into the bathroom wall, never to be seen again, that is until someone decides to renovate. Maybe I should edit the poem for clarity.
Fascinating! I certainly could have looked that up. As far as editing goes, I fear it might come at the expense of the poem*. But you’re the wordsmith; I’m just a hack.
I think it’s OK for poetry to require a reader have some background knowledge, for a detail to pose a mystery to be explored.
And certainly, I could have googled “razor blade slot” and likely found that answer.
* Perhaps a footnote. We do love a good footnote around these parts.
Oh I love footnotes. I deployed my first here this past Sunday. What a thrill it was!
Your song is beautiful. And sad. But I do love that there are two of them, Maggie and me. And that they found two beach chairs. There was comfort in the image of them together. Thank you for the song.
You know, come to think of it, this song kind of hits me as an American version of "You Stay Here", only the threat here is from economic and social forces, not political ones. But maybe that's just me.
Felt exactly the same.
Furthermore...your intro paragraph brought to mind Rod Serling’s monologues at the beginning of The Twilight Zone. And with it I could connect all three pieces into such a hugely creative scene. Brilliant. What a cool little film this would make!
Subscribed Richard. It’s worth the money to hear more 👍
Thank you Shawn. Much appreciated.
Love hearing the young woman singing with you. It's like Maggie is there with you enduring.
Thanks April. But there's no one else on this track! Just my voice, the guitar, and a microphone.
Wow I thought I heard a slight almost humming other voice. It's magic
Strange. The music player is showing 00:00:00 and the play button does nothing. Is it playing for the rest of y’all?
Ah...it’s playing on the Substack website but not in the app.
I just checked on my iPhone via the email I send myself. No issues.
Please, people, do not miss the sense of pride and dignity that lies beneath in those lines. “We may not have much, but we are not poor.”
I am going to admit to being the dunce in the class here. I have just enough wit to look up Autumn Leaves (because it was capitalized) so I know they were propaganda leaflets the Nazis dropped. Are we in the U.S.? I failed the test on that poem.
I finally got to listen to the song last night, thanks to insomnia. Wonderful! You changed some of the lyrics; to my ears, for the good. I will note that the song will only get airplay by accident on U.S. radio, given the FCC's penchant for fainting spells.
And last but not least, the photo is freakin' fabulous!
Whoa. Regarding Autumn Leaves, I'm going to respond in the body of the post (see above) instead of here in the comments. As for Here Comes the Zephyr, I think the written text replaces what I sang. Thanks for your enthusiasm about the photos! It's not something I've ever taken seriously. Now maybe I will.
Listening to Here Comes The Zephyr while brushing my teeth with the electric toothbrush (fits really well :) and I can see it all as your story unfolds.