Monday, January 18, 2016

Butterfly Dream: Fifties Night Haiku by Karen O’Leary

English Original

fifties night
a 45 spins
with a twist

this world, 2013

Karen O’Leary


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

五零年代之夜
四十五轉唱片
歪曲地旋轉
   
Chinese Translation (Simplified)

五零年代之夜
四十五转唱片
歪曲地旋转


Bio Sketch

Karen O’Leary is a writer and editor from West Fargo, ND.  She has published poetry, short stories, and articles in a variety of venues including, Frogpond, A Hundred Gourds, Haiku Pix,  Sharpening the Green Pencil 2014, Now This: Contemporary Poems of Beginnings, Renewals and Firsts, Creative Inspirations, and Poems of the World.  She currently edits an online poetry journal called Whispers.

12 comments:

  1. Combined with the multilayered meaning of "twist," the thematically effective juxtaposition of the two parts of the poem succeeds in creating an emotional climax.

    Is a 45 rpm record the best cure for nostalgic pathos?

    -- paraphrasing Frederic Jameson

    Note: "Back in the early days of audio, way before the high-tech advances of eight-track tapes, cassettes and today's CDs, 45-rpm records were mass marketed to feature a current hit tune or song, usually something getting lots of radio or juke box play... Most record shops in the 1950s-1960s specialized in 45s, because they were cheap and quick to manufacture for sale. They came packaged in cardboard or paper sleeves – often with photos or artwork of the performers – and originally cost around 50 cents apiece."

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  2. Dear Chen-ou,

    I am thrilled to have another poem published at your wonderful online journal. I enjoy reading the poetry that you publish as it helps me improve my writing--at least that is my hope. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support. I hope you are having a wonderful New Year!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  3. Thank you Karen for pointing to another of your wonderful Haiku. Thanks for the memories. I'll never forget those days of the juke box, malt shops and drive-ins featuring roller skating waitresses and side of the car food trays holding mugs of my favorite soda, root beer. Great write Karen.
    Love, Charlene

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    Replies
    1. Dear Charlene,

      I loved the A&W root beer in the frosty mugs. Glad this brought back good memories for you. Thank you for your kind comments.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  4. Congratulation dear Karen for your great Haiku!

    Love,

    Gert

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Gert. Your ongoing support means a lot to me.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  5. Congratulations Karen. Thank you for sharing that splendid haiku. I enjoyed reading it.

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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  6. Thank you so much, Maurice. Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate all the encouragement you give me.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  7. This is a beautiful haiku, Karen! Does take me back a few years, but it was worth the trip! ~ Regards // paul

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  8. Dear Paul,

    Thank you so much for your kind words and ongoing support. Chen-ou does a wonderful joy with this amazing journal.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  9. I remember this baby sitter I had when I was little. She brought along a new record, "The Twist" by Chubby Checker. While I was usually a little demon with baby sitters, this one won me over... Your fine poem jogged this fine memory for me.

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  10. I remember this baby sitter I had when I was little. She brought along a new record, "The Twist" by Chubby Checker. While I was usually a little demon with baby sitters, this one won me over... Your fine poem jogged this fine memory for me.

    ReplyDelete