The Dawn of Personal Music

                            - Sony invents the Walkman in 1979

Foam-cushioned ears, bookish
eyes on grapevines whizzing by.

No more begging the radio gods
to dispense the balm of favorite
songs.

The singer’s plea: one day out of life
it would be, it would be so nice

One day becomes a century’s turn –
grapes to wine, love to children,
losses.

Our tapping feet declare
a holiday to every listening
city. The future climbs
like a ripe vine.

Laurie Barton

Music-related bio statement: Laurie Barton was an avid Walkman user back in the 1980s. The technology has changed, but the joy of music remains the same.