Today I am to write a poem inspired by a song, and to share its title. I confess to being influenced by song lyrics, especially the well-told stories in ballads.
Earlier this year I read “At Seventeen” by Janis Ian (1975) as a poem at an open mic event. I’ve always loved the song and somehow relate to it, as do many people around the world. Janis explains how that affects her and sings her song in the video below.
At Seventeen
When she called
I couldn’t hardly talk at all,
and when she sings
I remember high school things.
The words, the tone,
together talking on the phone,
her memories, at seventeen,
were mine at home alone.
“It was long ago and far away,”
do I wish it was today?
What has changed in how we are,
in pickup trucks or borrowed cars?
At seventeen when boys like me,
Sad Sacks outside for all to see.
“Come dance with me”— because
that couple we will always be.
She said,
I pity boys like you who serve,
you only get what you deserve.
My broken heart sang obscenities,
to the one I loved but never pleased.
At seventeen I was that man,
a boy holding a gun over there,
I stay alive as best I can, but
of angry me I must beware.
At seventeen a boy like me—
at seventeen, too young to see.
And ugly boys like us do care.
At seventeen, when I was there.
Memory is a strange, unreliable thing; so, look both ways and don’t assume.
Mind the gaps in song and poem, you’ve been only human all along.
Our Literary Journey 
This was my first time hearing Janis Ian, and her marvellous words and music make me wonder how I could have missed her all this time. You’ve done a splendid job of sharing her influence and, yes, at seventeen I was that man too!
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Thank for your wonderful words, Peter. Isn’t she lovely? 🙂
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This song. Hearing it again, for the first time. Didn’t everyone think it was written just for them? I know I did. Thanks, Bill. ♡
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Yes. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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What a heartful poem, Bill. So good.
17 is an age that is awkward and difficult for many and you’ve translated that so beautifully. My awful age was from 11-14. Buck-toothed, all legs and arms, Olive Oyl was one name I was called…
I love when a song inspires us and this one, I hadn’t heard in so long, says so much.
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Thanks, Dale. I’m glad you liked it. I read a lot about the song, listened to it (and a few covers), read up on Ms. Ian, downloaded her autobio for TBR, and put two versions of the song on my playlist. LOL — Overreacting? 🙂
She wrote this (took her months) based on a NYT article she read about an 18 year old girl. She changed the age to 17 for the sake of musical type….and on and on.
🙂
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Very much so! Enthusiastic, I say! 😉
Well, I think it worked for her and for all the awkward teens who feel just like that!
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Many for sure. An awkward time. It’s interesting how self-image at that time has such a life-long ??? What? Memory? Effect? Whatever.
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Oh yeah. Self-image… I think it’s a mix of things. I didn’t lack self-confidence until one thing happened to me. It STILL makes me feel like shit when I think about it!!
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I have a list. 🙂
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Uh huh. Me too.
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