populuxe! architecture of the space age

[mnaz]

old 66 runs to the neon sunland
into a glitter of space and possibility
on rocketships with tail fins and whitewalls
past flying saucers, tiki gods, loud polygons
boomerangs and arrows, everything in motion
doo wop coffee shops with upswept roofs
hung from sky, might take off and fly

man left his cave, built the space age
drove west into the rest of the galaxy
past neon electron clouds, giant amoebae
starbursts and domes, sheet glass windows
toward shining surfaces of tomorrow

[jim turner]

Unusual imagery here. Not sure I follow all of it, can't recognize "doo wop." But I am reminded of the beginning of 2001: a Space Odyssey, when the the entire history of technological progress is told in a single scene--when primitive man throws a bone-weapon into the air and it becomes a space ship. jim

[mnaz]

as in, "populuxe" architecture of the post-war late '40s to early '60s in particular. sometimes called "jet age," or "space age," or "googie," or even "doo wop" architecture in its various manifestations. not a particularly subtle genre... (probably should add that to the title). can't believe I left out the jetsons in that mix... I always saw "2001" as a long meditation on ok, we've seen how (exponentially) technologically clever we are recently, so how does the relationship play out? something like that.

[judih]

i didn't know that doo wop was an accepted label (i awarded that amazing adjectival play to you, mnaz) - but i love its use.

wings and walla walla bam bam - jetsons show up to approve

[mnaz]

thanks judih. i think this poem could do with a rewrite, make it a little clearer what i'm on about... here's my inspiration for this one...

http://www.spaceagecity.com/googie/introduction.htm

a lot of spaced-out, wild designs back in the '50s and '60s...

[judih]

ah, i remember it well