Mood:
energeticNow Playing: Park Street Poems
Topic: Jammin in the Street
From Park Ave. to Park St. 'n Back　
I loved Alameda – a little city on the Bay My two sisters married sailors 'n then they moved away A man born 'n raised in Oakland – was the one who stole my heart Then 23 yrs. later was when we two would part It was in the 90's, a "Fallen Angel" I became It was when I knew my life – would never be the same Park St. – Alameda, was where I first hung-out Buckhorn – on the corner, is what I'm talkin' 'bout I went to hear the music – I wasn't one to drink But when you're hangin' out at Bars, well – what is one to think I stayed to listen to the music – especially when there's Blues 'N everyone that knows me, knows that that's not news The I'd go down to The Driftwood to see what band was there If it wasn't Blues, well – I really didn't care Besides, it was only two doors down – not too far to walk Some people there to "pick-up" (hey) 'n some were there to talk... "J.P's" in Alameda, on Park St. – at the end 'N there they played some Classic Rock; was there I met a friend That was 1997, it's now 2010 It brought me back to Park St. – where I'll reminisce again... I'll make new memories along the way 'n people may read what I have to write Or, maybe they'll listen – if I choose to recite For me, it's harder to speak than it is jus' to write I know it takes practice – at least that's what I think But I've been inspired by two guys at Books, Inc. "Ben and Jerry" – like the ice-cream, I ask You'll be a part of my Poem 'n in my memories to last... 　 copyright by: Arlene Melcher
　
　
Sun Kings and the "Summer of Love" (performing after the Art & Wine Festival July 25, 2010) 　 wearing my bright "flower power" jacket i kind of stand out in the crowd but not really as the Sun Kings belt out "hey jude" by the beatles i'm transported back to my youth in the 1960's. taking the music in, I have flashbacks of bell-bottoms, the vietnam war, fringed suede jackets, demonstrations, long hair, psychedelic art, riots, mini-skirts--- i begin to open my eyes and notice the bigger crowd in park street are waving their hands in unison to the song appearing first in slow motion and then at times in strobe-light fashion in my mind. some wearing tye-dye shirts and denims, flashing peace signs. to my right beatles memorabilia is for sale, i'm tempted to get one for a souvenir. to my left, on the stage, "come together" is playing and everyone's joined in. the Sun Kings are once again my favorite group-- if i close my eyes it's the "summer of love" all over again ...almost. Copyright by L. Costales
　
"Around the World" in Park Street Where shall we travel tonight for dinner? There's C'era Una Volta ("Once upon a time") where I can dream of Tuscany, being served seafood pasta outside a villa while admiring Italian vineyards and landscapes... But then again, if we eat at Barceluna I can visualize Spain and visiting their fine museums, seeing a bull fight, be mesmerized with the flamenco dancers as I have tapas on the patio... At Kobe-ya, a more casual environment will have me thinking of ordering udon from a Japanese street vendor as I enjoy my udon noodle soup... Eating a plate lunch at Hawaiian Drive-Inn makes me lonesome for the North Shore of Oahu, as I get some roadside shaved-ice on a summer's eve to cool me off (after a day on the beach watching surfers ride the waves)... Then there's Speisekammer---Oktoberfest and wonderful German beers dance around in my head... Sitting atop China House I can imagine eating at Old Shanghai overlooking a river and the beautiful city lights at night in the 1930's... And did I overhear someone say a new Persian restaurant (Kabob Central) just opened up? Thoughts of Rumi's poetry float along in my mind--- We'll plan on visiting soon... Many travel opportunities, while dining, await you in Park St. Alameda and you don't even need a passport! Copyright by L. Costales THE ROLE OF LIGHT I have no distaste for the places that I go; All are deserving of me. Don't even ask me what my favorite conduits are; Windows and meadows and the narrowest of alley ways will all do nicely. I am here to help, not opinionate. So if a particular patch of sidewalk on Park Street seems especially beautiful to you, Or the chubby statues festooning the shops are even more comical than ever, Or the blues and golds of summer-colored people promenading their way from one end of the street to the other are bluer and golder, Don't blame me; And if the shade of the outdoor cafe is the most beloved of spots for watching me turn the skins of trundling cars to matte or satin, Don't you ever think of crediting me. It's your judgment, not mine. Copyright by Alysa Chadow 　
Park Street Time Check Standing on solid ground, Lincoln and Park Streets in Alameda town Seeing sun rising over coastal hills, something gives me goose pimples, sometimes gives me chills At the Caldecott another tunnel is being bored Unearthed fossils are showing up by the score Mammoth remains, tigers, camels, giant sloth All kinds of creatures, who would have ever thought Fossils so near, ten million years old, and me thinking In old times Park Street was farmland where oat was sown and rolled. I look South East along Oakland hills ridges where Merritt College stands How about origins of paved surface Park Street lands Near Merritt's Football field rocks are serpentine Softer, crumblier than sandstone, black, tan and green Same elevation as the tunnel, yet serpentine forms near subduction zones Under heat and pressure not like bottomland loam Serpentine rock carbon dates I've been told, Two hundred million plus one or two years old. Sixty miles underground then, now on a hilltop slowly, snaking around Basking in sunlight as rocks will; on Park Street time checks them standing still.
Copyright by A.M. Fonda 　 　 PARK STREET PIER SONG (The Call of the Sea) The call of the sea, is taking you away from me The saddest, longest day, hoist the anchor, castaway. The offshore wind blows, the distance between us grows. A hearth ache in my soul knows bothering me is The call of the sea. Red sky in the morning, sailor heed warning Red sky at night, a sailor's delight, everything will be all right. I sail with the tide, out of the bay into the Oceanside North Star my companion guide leading me to The call of the sea. I'm sailing the ocean blue, soon I'll be coming home to you, I know you'll be waiting for me, I hear your voice in The call of the sea. copyright by A.M. Fonda 　 Park St. Predicament Choose my fav place here on Park Street? Alack! Alack! Oh my, oy vey! Do I pick my beloved Books Inc., or Starbucks where they make my latte? And what about dear Dogbone Alley, or Daisys or Bowser's or Sway? Not to mention Scott's Shoes where they're patient while I shop all day ! And how do I not vote for Tucker's, with their terrifically tasty ice cream? The long lines at night are powerful proof that their scoops are the stuff of our dreams! But what about Alameda Bikes, where they sell the best fixies and trikes. Or Toy Safari from whence come the "yikes," from the overjoyed toddlers and tykes! Linguini's is great, Ching Hua is the best, Oh how can I pick one and make sad the rest? Okay, I can do this, I'll risk dirty looks, and choose the one place with all the best books, the one that has wonderful chapters and pages, to tickle the fancies of folks of all ages, as a teacher and parent – if I stop to think – there's only one choice, it must be Books, Inc.! copyright by gene kahane MARKETPLACE HAIKU shining, silvery, at Marketplace, fish treasure, still eyes like jewels copyright by Mary Rudge
Summer Site Write 2010 Park Street Poems
Butler, Janet After lunch
Horsepower
Musings in a coffee shop
Chadow, Alysa THE ROLE OF LIGHT
Costales, L. "Around the World" in Park Street
Obon Festival
October Park Street Car Show
Sun Kings and the "Summer of Love"
Costales, L. & Estrada, Amy B. A DAY IN PARK STREET
Dana, Cathy Give Your Mind a Drink
Julie's Tea
PARK STREET, TOP to BOTTOM
What IF...
Deetz, Nanette Bradley JULIE'S COFFEE AND TEA
LA PINATA
Fonda, A.M. PARK STREET PIER SONG
The Call of the Sea)
Park Street Time Check
Kahane, Gene Park St. Predicament
Lopez, Charles A. Sr. TURNER STUDIO OF MUSIC 1965-1967
McCloud, Karen WINDOW-SHOPPING DAY
Melcher, Arlene From Park Ave. to Park St. 'n Back
Murphy, Garrett DARLING WE LOVE YOU BUT GIVE US PARK
STREET INSTEAD
Rudge, Mary INNER CITY Haiku sequence
JAVARAMA Haiku
JAVARAMA SCENE
MARKETPLACE Haiku
PARK STREET Haiku sequence 1
PARK STREET Haiku sequence 2
PARK STREET STROLL Summer Haiku sequence
THE UNIVERSAL COFFEE SHOP
WATCHING ART STUDENTS MAKING A MOVIE
AT JAVARAMA
Sandholdt, Peter E. ALAMEDA MARKET PLACE
ART AND WINE FAIRE Park Street, Alameda
BOOK INC
party time!