the purists will say
that nothing quite
matches the warm, rich tones
like vinyl
as the metal stylus
gently rides grooves
in slight
undulating waves.
do you remember similar days
or nights drinking
cheap beer and sitting
on the floor
surrounded by dust-jackets
of your favorite bands,
arguing the merits
of certain songs
as “stairway” played
on max volume
and nicotine-stained
fingers strained
to play those
air-guitar notes
across faded jeans
unable to keep pace
with jimmy’s inspired licks?
it all seemed to click
so simply back then (wouldn’t
you agree?) gliding
along the track
as one of the pack
and never anxious
about the next wave
that’s always
sure to come along.
and though those songs
do remain the same
too many days
and nights all strung together
like links of a chain
have forever changed
the landscape,
blurring and blunting
the sharper
edges of those sweet
recollections —
and anything that might
still be left to say.
