We Can Swing Together (A Tribute To Alan Hull) Poem by Paul Reed

The reliving of musical glories
Filled the air with forgotten ribald parties,
Drunken times and inspiration,
Bitterness and brilliance,
Cynicism and pride;

We joined together in raucous celebration of times past,
A generation or two had slipped by in the meantime
Just like the Tyne had lazily dribbled
But the young ones didn't know, notice or care
As they sang and danced
Twirling faux pirouettes and rocking hips;

The interim epochs were encapsulated
Wrapped in North Eastern love
And set free in bubbles of sound
That drifted away overhead on mandolin strings,
On no pre-destined route
Other than the breeze had in mind.