THE SODA FOUNTAIN…PART 2

“Wreck ‘em!”, OK, “scrambled eggs,” Soda Jerk had called out

Soda fountain was hummin,’ the Jerk had to shout.

“Don’t mind if I do!” yelled back a guy down the line, 

Everyone’s head turned, a little humor was fine.

​Everyone went back to reading, talking or eating,

The truth in the NEWS, the U.S. had taken a beating

No matter.the facts, no matter the lies, 

The couple in the booth were saying goodbyes.

Five ships down, Pearl Harbor’s water and muck,

Man against man, a country had “snuck,”

Now world’s people would pay for that “prize,”

The couple in the booth were still saying goodbyes.

The girls at the counter all giggly and squiggly 

Trying to look casual, new breasts firm but jiggly.

Whispers amongst them, casting a glance,

To assess if Soda Jerk wanted secret romance.

Soda fountain abuzz with story and wonder

The girls too young to realize the plunder

Too full of young teens to realize the bite

While young boys of age would go off and fight.

It all felt heroic and what you must do.

Confusion and courage, it was part of the stew.

Small tables at supper, now less by one member, 

The couple in the booth, “Goodbyes” oh so tender.

She pulled from her pocket a token of love

A snippet of hair that was soft as a dove 

Each with a photo in locket, to be worn with great care

While he was off fighting, way over there.

They got up to go, his bus had arrived,

Tight gripping of hands, feeling more dead than alive,

Not another word spoken, she felt his strong chest,

He got on the bus carrying the throb of her breast.

If there ever was a time and ever a chance,

If people, all ages, could sing or could dance,

It was now, now or never, maybe too late for some,

Before men at war would be on the run.

To be continued…

By Flo Lawrence ​

Come sing and dance at the Unurban and be part of the Sock Hop