Dusk of the decade.
Dynamics alternate.
Collective consciousness
On the threshold of change.
A movement had happened.
It was to stay.
That way.
Assumed wrongly.
Permanancy is chalk.
Duster enough to erase.
Decade of contradictions
Revolution leads to war.
Mirror view image.
Evidence of change..
The Seventies became.
Aurora like a thousand searchlights.
Whipping across the sky.
Pulling out all stops to Kingdom come
To stop the atrocities in Vietnam.
Neil and Buzz.
Aboard the Apollo eleven ,
Small step was humility,
Giant leap for humanity.
Bob and Carl,
At the Post.
Navigated by *******.
Investigate Watergate
All the President's men
Final days for Nixon's reign.
Beat Generation, Flower Power ,hippie movement or Counterculture.
Christened by Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
Capsuled the mood in the air.
Ken Kesey and the Grateful Dead
Acid Trips taken on a Bus.
Experimental tour on
Music and drugs.
Civil Rights and Dr King
Another battle about the skin.
Won the Nobel.
Proving everyone is equal.
Wars, Marches ,Protests.
Illustrated in bedrooms.
Live television was the boom
Horrors of War ,seen by all.
Casualties of  War Were in every room.
Rock Music explosion.
Nexus with the counterculture generation.
Talents aligned
Bands formed
Music into existence.
Legends born.
Myths created.
Millions gathered
Traditions established
Parables designed
Life altered
Generations affected.
effect felt , effortlessly.
Captivating? fascinating? entrancing? hypnotic?
Words can't describe.
wasted words .
Demiurges  divinity diminished dramatically.
Drastically devoid.
Haight and Ashbury.
Cradle of Counterculture.
Intersection of both.
Became the Cross
worshipped upon
Beatnik a fish out of water.
Took to the crossing like a fish to water.
Contradiction in words
Unity in Society
Gathered in entirety
For the Summer of love.
Civil rights and Vietnam War.
Gay rights and Nuclear War.
Women Power and Human Sexuality.
Sub Cultures and Anti Authoritarian.
Bohemian and Mind Bending drugs
Ikigai for Millions
I'm the Greatest the world has ever seen.
Heavyweight champion and king of the ring.
Rumble in the jungle
Thrilla in Manilla
Foreman and Frazier
Bout after bout
Showed  the world what Ali was about.
Many are called ,few are chosen .
Scandinavian Teenager
Tennis' first rock star
Grass or Clay
Dominated the play
Resembled Chirist
Bjorn Borg was a delight
Raised by women to conquer men
Jimmy Connors became a legend
Winning titles was a cinch
Played 5 generations and 2 decades without a flinch.
Longevity laudable
Point or Life
The offer he made.
Battle of the sexes
The Great Billie Jean king.
Gave the women's movement a zing
Grasping at the straws,
Bobby Riggs the competitor
Remained a spectator
Astrodome witnessed a milestone
Billie beat Bobby
Three sets to none
Quality questioned
Answer given
Inferior no woman
King remained Queen.

Cinema of the 70 s
Greatest ever made
Censorship boundaries blurred
Artistic expression blossomed
Studio system failed
Television boomed
Auteurs and Polymaths
Actors and Superstars
Collaborated .
Symbiosis enriched
Individual and Team. Delighted Disciples  Demanded  .
Studios responded
Classics  in order
One equal to the other
Talent made them timeless
Quality gave them immortality
Excellence brought Endurance.
Warner Brothers and Warren Beatty.
Bonnie and Clyde .
Canadian Premiere.
Jumping off point.
Films that altered lives.
These films have no death
Proved Montreal as holy as Nazareth.
Fashion was about expression.
Androgynous looks
Reigned supreme.
Wearing Tee Shirts and Levi's Strauss Jeans.
Bold and Daring was the theme
Stand out and Fit in
Principle behind the dressing.
Turtlenecks
Heeled boots,  braided belts , Corduroy pants.
Long collared shirts  leisure suits and flowing scarves.
The 70 s was more about costume than clothing.
Hairstyles and Sunglasses
Unique in itself.
Retro and relevant
Stylish and current
Smart and trending
In and out.

WARREN BEATTY AND FAY DUNAWAY
GET THE WINNERS ENVELOPE
THE WRONG PICTURE WAS AWARDED
CAN THE OSCARS COPE


LALA LAND WAS THE WINNER
BUT IT WASN'T REALLY AT ALL
THE ORGANISERS GOT IT WRONG
THEY REALLY DROPPED THE BALL


IN 89 YEARS OF ACADEMY AWARDS
THIS IS THE GREATEST MISTAKE
IT WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY
AND GIVE THE OSCARS A SHAKE

power and beauty
stone and steel.
rise above
mud and wood.
swarmed by
worker ants.
world without end.

wyn is a poet.

a visionary.
monkeys and tigers
stalk welsh hills
the
satanic mills
of his imagination.

he is the blake
of the a470.

did he once see
angels on peckham rye
too?

i expect he did, i expect.

we will not know
unless i ask him.

he will tell.

yet not when
his colleagues
are listening.

he may be shy.

balfour beatty.

sbm

Four times a week
Matinee Evening or Night.
A trip to the movies .
Was a guarantee
As I call to mind.
A bijou of a place
Standing in queue
Counting the heads ahead.
Fervently praying for a seat
Looking at the marquee.
Stars name Starring in.
Ticket in hand
Was Disneyland.
Next stop was the poster
Mammoth in size
In awe would analyze.
Eyes sharp as laser.
Focus on the credits
Memorizing the artists.
Row didn't matter
Insistent but on an aisle seat.
The view seemed better
A quirk I never got over.
Always early and looking at the watch
Eagerly waiting for the curtains to part.
Commercials and Government Propaganda.
Enduring the two was hard.
Trailer was theaters choice.
If shown there was no greater joy.
Censor certificate would flash.
Number of reels had to be scrutinized.
The length of the film it indicated.
All I learnt ,I learned from the movies.
Escapism it wasn't.
It reflected reality.
In the darkness surrounding the walls.
Existence outside seemed like a dream.
Rays from the projector
Made life look brighter.
Certain things leave.
Others Stay.
Ellicits an emotional response
Feeling being the outcome.
Inscribed seldom witherd.
Thinking and Feeling paradoxical.
Contradiction within the hall.
70 s the greatest era since existence.
Movies made were no exception.
Never came out disappointed
Magicians were the makers.
Collaboration amongst masters
Craft at its zenith
Skill never scarce
Epitome of brilliance
Audience addiction but natural

Charles Bronson Death Wish.
Audience manipulation at its zenith
Body count lost count
Bronson being cheered and worshipped
Everytime shot a man dead.

Clint Eastwood ***** Harry.
Iconoclastic cop full of Fury.
Crowds swelling
Superstar by defenition
4 more sequels held our attention.

Sean & Roger.
Nobody did it better
Bond and Beyond
License to ****
Gadgets and Puns
Q & M
Made it fun
Gun Barrel and theme.
Made the audience scream.
Entertainment only motive
All 13 adorable.

Steve McQueen,The Thomas Crown Affair.
The King of Cool
Monet missing .
McQueen present.
Played Chess with Faye
Held the crowds in sway

Burt Reynolds
Smokey and the Bandit
Chased across the South ,Sally in tow
Taxied on the freeway
In a Pontiac Trans am
Surround sound.
Made ears drown
Train wrecks ,Car chases , Sheriff's Department and the FBI
Know you're in for a Reynolds fare.

Yul Brynner stylish and bald.
Unique walk idolised by all.
Leader of the Seven.
Oscar for King and I
Ramses to Moses
Endearingly Popular
Baritone voice
People s Choice.





Lee Marvin headed The ***** Dozen.
Nunnally Johnson had it written.
Every time it had a run
Fans enjoyed the fun.

Paul Newman The Macintosh Man
Most famous blue eyes
Directed by Huston
Enjoyed a good run
Butch and Sundance
The Sting
Made a great pair with Redford
Male Bonding never looked more stylish




Gene Hackman  The French Connection
Pedal to the metal.
Pontiac Le Mans.
Chasing an El train
Greatest chase sequence ever filmed
Hackman Actor and Superstar
Twice won the Oscar.

Warren  Beatty **** Tracy
Appeared on screen scarcely.
Multifaceted and handsome.
More Oscars than films acted
Is an old Hollywood joke which hasn't dated.

Jack Nicholson Chinatown.
Mentored by Roger Corman.
Some are Stars .
Some are Actors.
Star and Actor
A rare Combination,
He achieved by dedication.
Multifaceted man
Everybody is a fan
Oscar for every decade
Inmate ,Astronaut ,Writer
Whatever the character
The Academy did honour.
Also watched him play Joker, drifter murderer
Turned down The Godfather
Independent Republic of Jack Nicholson
Is the name of the abode for his fans.
Given by none other than Mike Nichols.


Amitabh Bachchan and Dharamendra.
Two greatest superstars of India.
3 films together
Outcome couldn't be bigger.
Chupke Chupke a comedy classic.
Sholay praised even by Satyajit Ray.
Ram Balram with Vijay Anand
You can't go wrong.
Sold out for weeks in advance.
Black Market was the only chance.
Inflated prices ,they built houses
The legend goes.
Sea of humanity
A regular sight
Where their movies played .
Cash registers ringing
Never missed the opening screening.

Marlon Brando The Godfather
You can't refuse the offer
Refused the Oscar.
Method Acting mentor
Generations of Actors, will always remember.

George Scott ,Patton
Sagebrush portrayal
Of the 4 Star General
Opening monologue
Inspiration to all
Great Actor who went beneath the skin of the character.

Al Pacino Scarface
Portrayal in your face
Theater , Television and Movies.
Performed with equal intensity.
Tony ,Emmy and Oscar
Would be proud to be in his roster.

Robert De Niro Godfather 2
He portrayed Vito too
Created history
Won the Oscar for Supporting Actor
To Brando a worthy successor.

Robert Redford Brubaker
A name given to every reformer
Adored by Women
Imitated by Men.
Superstar of the decade
Turned director
Won the Oscar
Sundance Festival
Platform provided
Filmmakers flocked
Many talents unlocked.




If I'm told I have only a few hours to live.
Can we go and watch a movie

My adventures might be behind me
Small Town small ahead
I like the little way
Helps me with the dread

Facebook has been fun
All those 80s ladies
St. Therese my favorite nun
Madonna, not Warren Beatty

Had a veggie sausage
Mustard and a side of fries
Honest Abe emancipates
George W. kills and lies

Prince all in Purple
1985
It's true I'm quiet and lonely
Still grateful to be alive

           I came alas to wive
    (but still my children thrive)

At the age of 10
Was the time when
He for the first time
Openly  mentioned
That becoming an actor
Was his only intention

Lied about his age
To join the Marine Corps
Stationed Different places
5 years with the defence forces

Joined the Pasadena playhouse
To learn his passion
Attended acting lessons
Met future greats Duvall and Hoffman

Was disliked by
Fellow classmates
Deemed unworthy of acting
Mocked and ridiculed for his style of expression

Voted the least likely
To succeed in the movies
Failed the exams
Got the lowest ever score in the playhouse history

Asked to leave
Found refuge in New York City
Doing odd jobs to keep life steady
Off Broadway plays to pave his way

First movie part
Was Mad Dog Call
Had no dialogue
Shared screen space with Telly Savalas

As in Broadway
He didn't start at the top
Bottom is very ugly place
He quipped famously about the acting race

Got more bit parts
Route 66 a series and the DuPont show
A hot Broadway show with Sandy Dennis
Opened up doors for his first major role in Lilith

Warren Beatty cast him
As his brother in Bonnie and Clyde as Buck Barrow
Giving him the biggest break to undo  
The brake stopping his growth

Had solid Supporting roles
With Lancaster Peck and Redford
Each a stepping stone
For what was to come

The dawn of the 70s
Saw him breakthrough into leading roles
I never sang for my father
His first Oscar nominated leading role

A fortuious moment
When he signed French Connection
Collaboration with William Friedkin
Made him the biggest Star in the Hollywood Constellation

Won the Academy Award
Topped the Box office Charts
Created A new breed
Actor / Superstar

Breaking box office records
With disaster films like
The Poseidon Adventure
Simultaneously winning
Palm D Orr for films like Scarecrow and The Conversation

Played  Lex Luthor in Superman
A superhero film a novelty then  Top billing playing the Villain V Unheard off at that time

Turned down meaty roles
Offered by great auteurs
Jaws One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest to name a couple
Such was his faith in his talent and skill

The 80 s were equally significant
Critical and Box office success ensued
Rode the decade with all the Success
Oscar Nominated for Mississippi Burning & Hoosiers named the greatest Sports film

Started the 90 s
With Narrow Margin
Followed it up with Unforgiven
Played the villain took home the 2nd  Academy Recognition

Prolific in the 4th decade
His  calling  in the movies
Worked with young talent
All claimed to be his die hard fans

5th decade in Hollywood
Golden Globe win for The Royal Tennenbaums
6 film a year
Totalled close to 100 his entire career

No dearth for offers
6 films a year 45 years later
Strong legs for 5 decades
Not many can claim that to say

The long haul
Had seen it all
Reached the age of 75
Said a final goodbye

Ability to absorb
Every character donned
On New York streets would walk
Observing all those who pass

George Morrison taught
Him how to act
Assured him of his ability
Method Acting lesson meticulously

Positioned his career
Played Supporting Roles
The part of the Villain
Gave relief with Comic roles and played Lead roles

A great position to be
All slots his name was to be
Name above the title
Any other role that tested his mettle

One of the few
Actor and Superstar. Combination
Filled Cinemas Worldwide
Followed by every prestigious Accolade

Won every major award
Life time Achievement the reward
Oscar BAFTA Globus Golden Bear Palm D Orr and Every other award
That the season brings with

First to act
In the disaster genre
Roles in many other
Captured Audience imagination forever

Now a Novelist who gets published
Written 6 books so far
Out of public eye
But never out of their memory

One of the greatest Actors
One of the. Biggest Stars
Fans all over the World
Trained to be an Actor not a Star his most famous quote