Arkansas Writer: I Was Almost a Hippy

I was almost a Hippy. Drove an old Corvair van.

Had dreams of playing Rock and Roll. Played tuba in the high school band.

Wanted to be a cowboy. Grew up on a dairy farm.

Fell in love with a girl. Her mother said I had no charm.

When I picked up my pot it was full of beef stew.

When she said, “Let’s go.” I didn’t know what to do.

I was almost a Hippy. Drove an old Corvair van.

Had dreams of playing Rock and Roll. Played tuba in the high school band.

I tried to be hip day after day.

But every summer I had to bail hay.

When I planted grass it was always clover.

When I said, “I love you.” She said it was over.

I was almost a Hippy. Drove an old Corvair van.

Had dreams of playing Rock and Roll. Played tuba in the high school band.

But that was long ago. The hippys have gone away.

Nothing remains except their symbols on display.

I bought a poster just the other day.

It reminds me of her. No more will I say.

I was almost a Hippy, but the Hippys went away.

I bought a tuba. In my basment I play.

I was ALMOST a Hippy!

A.L. Shipman Jr.

1-8-2011

Arkansas Writer