by Robert - just a simple man - B.
Member since:
April 12, 2007

NEWSPAPER TAXI (because Ann requested it)

April 08, 2009 06:04 PM EDT (Updated: April 12, 2009 10:54 AM EDT)
views: 227 | comments: 71

 

 

 

NEWSPAPER TAXI

© Robert C Burnham

 

I drive a newspaper taxi

Through strawberry fields

And there's never a drop of rain

I got music and fares

From days gone by

And none of them ever complain

 

There's John in the back

His head's in the clouds

But a smile remains on his face

And Mr. Holly rides shotgun

A guitar in his lap

Peggy Sue's waiting up at their place

 

This morning I dropped, Waylon

Down at, the

Highwaymen's rodeo

And on the way we picked up

Johnny and Stevie Ray

It's gonna be one hell of a show

 

Inside my newspaper taxi

I am so very happy

Chilled out to a wonderful beat

Michelle, ma belle she

Gives me a call - she has

Someone she wants me to meet

 

Over on Penny Lane;

East of the park

Clapton's young lad climbs on in

We turn on the radio and

We find a good laugh

As my buddy George Carlin chimes in

 

And here comes the sun

As my taxi still runs

And Tiny Tim flips me a tip

So we take a detour

Once, and forevermore

Through a field of yellow tulips

 

Then it's on to glory

Way up on the hill - 

Where sits the King's manor

With Elvis and Carole and

Jimi too, we speed off to

The Star Spangled Banner

 

Inside my newspaper taxi

I am so very happy

Chilled out to a wonderful beat

Michelle, ma belle she

Gives me a call - she has

Someone she wants me to meet
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Comments: 71

ann c. Apr 8, 2009, 6:08pm EDT
Now THAT is a happy poem. I knew you could do it!!!
ann c. Apr 8, 2009, 6:09pm EDT
I'm glad Elvis was there!
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 8, 2009, 6:18pm EDT
Folks, Ann says my poetry had been getting as depressed as me and I needed to write something happy. It took a grain of salt and an old tune by the Beatles but I think I met her request.
ann c. Apr 8, 2009, 6:31pm EDT
Yes you did!!! And I think this is one of your best.
necee t. Apr 8, 2009, 6:44pm EDT
very awesome... love it... thanks Robert... God bless always...
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 8, 2009, 7:12pm EDT
Elvis would have to be there wouldn't he?
Charity M. Apr 8, 2009, 7:40pm EDT
((( genius in this one...)))
Nancy Biri Apr 8, 2009, 7:51pm EDT
Very nice
Debbie W. Apr 8, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
Very nice :)
Alison H. Apr 8, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
Whimsical and wonderful!
Jo N. Apr 8, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
very nice!
Very cool!
Jan S. Apr 8, 2009, 10:03pm EDT
I LOVE this, Robert! It is awesome.
Chuck L. Apr 8, 2009, 10:46pm EDT
Well now... That was fun!
Stirling D. Apr 8, 2009, 10:55pm EDT
That was a really nice ride through strawberry fields, Robert. It was also a clever metaphor that was made more believable by the great photo. Break on through to the other side ...
John Philipp Apr 8, 2009, 10:59pm EDT
Much fun, Robert.

Good for you!
Kushal Poddar Apr 8, 2009, 11:11pm EDT
Happy to have you happy my Beatles fan. A great poem. Great tribute.
recently in a poem called " A mail from vacation" I used this wonderful image.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 8, 2009, 11:16pm EDT
That's the mystery of the poem Barbara, hah!

And Poddar, I missed that one, I'll look for it tomorrow. Goodnight.
roger s. Apr 8, 2009, 11:22pm EDT
very very cool lol
Tracy Fabre Apr 8, 2009, 11:32pm EDT
Yay!

"... if there's a rock-n-roll heaven, you know they got a hell of a band..." -----> and if the band's running a bit late, it's because you took 'em all on a joy ride in your newspaper taxi. :-)
Daniel Irwin Tucker Apr 8, 2009, 11:43pm EDT
This tune-fueled taxi ride lifted my spirits. Thanks!
JOHN BECK Apr 8, 2009, 11:49pm EDT
Nostalgia in image, verse and song. I like it.
John F Walter Apr 8, 2009, 11:57pm EDT
This piece isn´t derivative, it´s too straightforwardly an homage to be so to those Fab Four. Reminds me of Julie Taymore´s Across The Universe in that sense. And it is quite happy, when all is said and done.
Georgiana S. Apr 9, 2009, 12:10am EDT
No Janis?!! And you in texas?!!
Well, can't fit all the great gone ones in! Good one Robert.
Syed The Shah Apr 9, 2009, 12:36am EDT
Very extrinsic... great...
EDWINA (MISSIE) B. Apr 9, 2009, 2:27am EDT
LOVED IT,CUTE TAXI,MyHotComments.com
MyHotComments
Kimber F. Apr 9, 2009, 4:50am EDT
What a fun ride. Brings back some great memories of some great songs. Thanks for the smile and peace.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 5:16am EDT
Georgiana, it came down between Janis & Carole, I opted Carole. My brothers would have chose Janis - they're more hippy. In fact my oldest brother was at a little farm way back when.....
sherri stanczak Apr 9, 2009, 8:34am EDT
you are a genius! I love it!!!!
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 9:02am EDT
Thank you Sherri for reading and commenting; not so much for making me blush. Just words strung together.
Randi Burnham-Brown Apr 9, 2009, 9:06am EDT
Well bro I think you did an amazing job with this one. I love the cab. Now if you could smile it would be a great day.
Your sis
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 9:07am EDT
OMG ! Folks, the next time I mis-spell the National Anthem, won't SOMEONE please let me know. Holy shit!
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 9:16am EDT
Friends, please visit Poddars Poem . The reference to newspaper taxis was a mere coincidence. Blows my mind.
grooooovy~ =D
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 9:58am EDT
YOUTH

[more music homage]
Lisa Frost Apr 9, 2009, 10:06am EDT
this is cool with tunes to soothe!
I'm gonna rock my soul to the bosom of Abraham!
Oh rock my soul!
Jennifer Lee Apr 9, 2009, 10:22am EDT
My favorite lines are in red. Great poem, as always. I'm not a Beatles fan, but I am yours. Thank you for posting to our group.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 10:31am EDT
"but I am yours"

Jen, that's because I never declared I was bigger than jesus.
Bob Cronley Apr 9, 2009, 11:17am EDT
Cool.
ann c. Apr 9, 2009, 11:38am EDT
See what happens Robert when you write "happy" poems!! Now let's see some more!!!!
Angela A. Apr 9, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
This is a very happy post indeed!

Thanks Comments for Myspace
Thanks Comments for Myspace



And, for posting to my group, Anythingwriting
Chas Andrews Apr 9, 2009, 2:51pm EDT
cool. thanks!
St. John of the Cross Apr 9, 2009, 2:58pm EDT
Aye! I love the Beatles!
Sharon P. Apr 9, 2009, 6:08pm EDT
Love it. More please?
Barbara M. Apr 9, 2009, 8:49pm EDT
I've enjoyed all of your writings, Robert...even the dark, moody ones. You have a special talent and you use it well. Were you inspired by the photo?

Thanks for posting to READING BOOKS ONLINE!
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
No Barbara, I always write first then go find the appropriate photo/s. I start with my own stock but if it's just not there I go the public domain or several photos-on-cd databases I own.

Actually Ann wanted me to do a HAPPY poem so I put on some old tunes, when 'L in the S w D' played, I knew I found my subject.
Barbara M. Apr 9, 2009, 11:01pm EDT
There's another writer in this group that occasionally uses photos as his inspiration. He, too, has a unique talent...very different from yours but just as good. His name is devaa. I've featured some of his work in our group.
Julie R. Apr 10, 2009, 12:24am EDT
My goodness! Your little ditty brought tears to my eyes and memories of years I had forgotten. Thank you Robert.
Jan S. Apr 10, 2009, 2:10am EDT
Thanks for posting to Let's Throw a Party!
I am proud to feature this!
Lewis (taking over Gather) K. Apr 10, 2009, 11:02am EDT
Wonderfully creative, well done. I always like the songs that recall the legends of the past.
Boris G. Apr 10, 2009, 11:25am EDT
I love this Robert, being a big Beatles fan this is right up my alley.

It is also a very poignant subject.

I also have written about it if you wanted to check it out:


1) http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977028788&nav=MyGather
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 10, 2009, 11:34am EDT
Folks, that's a pretty good link Boris just gave.
Missy Cline Apr 10, 2009, 3:41pm EDT
very cool!
Jodi G. Apr 11, 2009, 10:45am EDT
can I get a ride in your newspaper taxi? It's sounds awesome
Lee Y. Apr 12, 2009, 12:15am EDT
Ridin in a paper taxi down memory lane ...

Thanks Robert. I'm smilin.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 12, 2009, 1:06am EDT
Jodi, we'll be right along to pick you up but beware it's getting crowded in this cab. Hey, who's getting cheese popcorn all over the seats.
Tracy Fabre Apr 12, 2009, 10:20am EDT
Oops, sorry... erm... let me take care of that. *crunch* Yup, much better!

Now turn up the radio!
Shirl T. Apr 12, 2009, 3:45pm EDT
THIS WAS GREAT
Martha R. Apr 23, 2009, 7:08pm EDT
Good job ..........Robert
Chana M. Apr 26, 2009, 4:03pm EDT
Thank you for sharing this @ Biography - Who Interests You? Robert.
Michelle W. Apr 30, 2009, 11:25pm EDT
This is great fun, Robert, and I love the mention of MY SONG ... Michelle, ma belle ... je je je

Thanks for posting in Journey Into Poetry !
Robert - just a simple man - B. May 1, 2009, 9:52am EDT
Your welcome Michelle, Ma belle, Now who did you want me to meet? I hope she's a redhead AND breathing. It's always nice when they're breathing.
Michelle W. May 1, 2009, 2:21pm EDT
jajajajaj

Breathing is always a lovely idea!
Ruthi C. Aug 14, 2009, 3:16pm EDT
I loved this one, as you well know!
Chris Brockman Aug 14, 2009, 5:43pm EDT
I have to thank Ruth sincerely for putting me on to this great piece of Americana. This is poetry with a beat! Very good weaving in alusions to all those great songs and great memories. A good poem takes you somewhere worth going. This one took me back to some wonderful times, and on a newspaper taxi of all things!
Robert - just a simple man - B. Oct 18, 2009, 12:25am EDT
Glad to have you as a fare in the Newspaper Taxi.
Jessica K. Oct 17, 2009, 10:21pm EDT
What a great idea! And I love the chorus!
Robert - just a simple man - B. Oct 18, 2009, 12:24am EDT
Thanks for coming by sweetie.

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