Can't believe things I've done; but somewhat glad decade's gone

The seventies are almost past, the eighties almost here; I can't believe the price of gas, or the price of beer. I can't believe how fast it's gone, the decade really flew; I can't believe things I've done, or all that I've been through.

I disco danced on rollerskates; I owned 14 pet rocks; I thought the Exorcist was great; I wore argyle socks; I drank my share of Perrier; I jogged my share of miles; I even streaked my derriere past glares and stares and smiles.

I heard the shots while at Kent State, I watched them richochet from Vietnam to Watergate, to Nixon's final day; I saw an heiress get kidnapped, and watched her go astray; I cheered when Berkowitz was trapped; I loathed the I.R.A.

I caught a piece of skylab's a tail, and sold it for a dream; I shouted out, 'Please save the whale,' but no one heard me scream; I think I cried when Big John died, I know I cried for Bing; and just when my last tear had dried, somebody took the king.

I saw the devil and his clan take refuge with Jim Jones; I saw them move on to Iran, I saw them throwing stones: I watched the Syndrome come alive at Harrisburg one day; I watched the D.C. take a dive: I learned again to pray.

I bought a ticket for the stars, and Farrah for my wall; I got a closeup look at Mars, a peek at Pope John Paul; I spent a day with a boy king; I caught a shark at sea; I heard McCartney flap his wings; I rooted for Haley.

Yes, the seventies are almost past, the eighties almost here; I guess I knew they wouldn't last, they've been around 10 years; I can't believe the things I've done, or all that I've been through; I'm somewhat glad the decade's done, and somewhat saddened, too.

Ray Rexer,

Bay City Times circa Dec 1979