On The Record Poem by guy lipmore

Yes, those record shops, at times hours spent,
Or popped in, check the ‘charts’ for a moment.
For the latest group or artist,
Looking down the top twenty to hundred list.
Who was at the top spot, the number one?
Whether it is a single or album.
Checking out your favourites,
Groups and the chart hits.
Up and coming pop stars and bands,
Compilation and greatest hits stands.
Listening to old and new sounds,
Whilst chatter of music abounds.
All in alphabetical in order to find,
Silently ‘marking’ off the letters in your mind.
Flicking through the albums,
Reading and ‘dividing’ with fingers and thumbs.
Vast array of designs of the record sleeves,
The singles, but mostly the L P’s.
That twelve square inch sleeve of cardboard,
And the anticipation of the sounds on the inside record.
Meanwhile the banter, have you heard this and that?
Discussing a song and every detail of a track.
Side A or one and B, side two,
The list of tracks to read through.
Wondering about the unheard music,
As you read the inner sleeve and the lyric.
Made that decision and the purchase,
Getting home at a quickening pace.
Maybe a chart single, or that ‘long play, ’
Excitement building, cannot delay.
Get in the door, put it on that deck,
Hoping it is good as you expect.
Oh, yes the hiss and the crackle,
Of the beloved record on vinyl.