Song Based Verses Part Two

Here is the second four of the eight poems I wrote giving my take on a number of different well known songs. The first four poems can be found here.

The songs featured in this entry cover a cross section of musical styles.  I hope you will enjoy reading. 

Song #5 - Call Me by Blondie

This 1980 thunderbolt of a tune is one of my favourite songs by Blondie. It has been covered many times across the last four decades and was the theme to the film 'American Gigolo'. 

The almost surreal lyrics of the song sparked my imagination into life and here is my take on it: 

Bells start ringing

Ruby red, emerald green

As your name ignites

My telephone screen.

I will paint a picture

In pastel shades,

Brush stroke blues

By a shimmering lake.

I will walk barefoot

Across dew-soaked grass

To harness the moment

And make it last.

I will walk over rocks

Worn down by waves,

Soak up words I longed

To hear you say.

I will dance underneath

A silver birch tree,

Feel your heart flutter

Just like the leaves.

I will light you a candle,

Embrace the heat

Flames of recognition

When our eyes meet.

Bells start ringing

Ruby red, emerald green

As your name ignites

My telephone screen.

Song #6 - Nobody's Diary by Yazoo

This song was released as a single in 1983 although it had been written by Alison Moyet several years earlier. I love the heartfelt nature of the lyrics and the emotional delivery Alison does so well.

Several weeks ago I heard this song on the radio for the first time in a long time. As I listened to the story Alison tells through her words I decided this was another candidate for a song based verse.

I can't believe

It has come to this,

Strings of unspoken words

Linger like a last kiss.

Precious memories,

Crisp, clean and concise

Of when hearts were soaring

Like eagles in flight.

Then innermost thoughts

In wiry black ink

Discoloured by time,

Crumpled days of the week.

Lonely teardrops fall,
Misty pools on the page,

Illegible thoughts,
Reflections of pain.

Broken words in a diary

Are all that remain,

The dying embers

Of once raging flames.

Song #7 - I Could Have Danced All Night 

This song features in the musical My Fair Lady, also turned into a film featuring Audrey Hepburn.

Last year it was given a 21st century style makeover by Faultline featuring the vocals of JAKL. This version of the song was used as a backdrop for an Audi TV advert.

The very first time I heard it, for some reason it struck a chord deep inside me and every time I hear the song it provokes a deeply emotional response. A series of clear mental images were subsequently triggered leading to me writing the poem below.

If I hold out my hand

Would you dance with me?

Allow my heart to keep time

As we sweep across the floor.

Catch the light in our eyes

As they shine diamond bright,

Watch the background fade out

As we swirl around once more.

If I hold out my hand

Would you dance with me?

Grand pianos are playing

Somewhere in the distance

Like the tinkling backdrop

Of a black and white film,

Capturing the moment,

Silver dreams and romance.

If I hold out my hand

Would you dance with me?

Reach high, swoop low,

Step on paths we've never known,

Marvel at a mountain view,

Dive into the oceans blue,

Before the warmth of our smiles

Slowly carries us back home.

Song #8 - Kayleigh by Marillion

I am currently in the process of writing my first book and the poem below plus the song 'Kayleigh' will feature in it. The contents of the poem are loosely based on Fish's wonderful poetic lyrics but also form a part of my own story line.

They met when they were eighteen

On a balmy July night,

In a misty teenage haze

It felt like love at first sight.

She was his ballerina

As she danced upon the grass,

They caressed under the moonlight,

Made each tender moment last.

She wore a purple bow

In her curly golden hair,

Tiny sparks of warm excitement

When his eyes met hers.

Blinded by young love

They ignored what others said,

They married two years later

Confetti scattered in their heads.

Neither of them really knew

When love disintegrated,

Fragments of what could have been

Like snow, evaporated.

Heads echoed with unspoken words,

Fear of the unknown,

Trembling fingers hovered

But never reached the phone.

Snowdrops bowed their graceful heads

And clouds eclipsed the stars,

Raindrops washed away their tears

But did not mend their broken hearts.

Thank you as always to everyone who takes the time to read my poetry. I will be back very soon with more of the same.

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