An Ode' to The 50's

Where “Grease Is The Word”, Poodle Skirts are in, and the Pink Ladies had Cool Guys in Black Leather Jackets and slicked back hair falling head over blue suede shoes.. The 50’s were a time of rock and roll; embedded in the hearts of hopeless romantics, and Pops Diner day dreamers.

Drive In Theaters were leaving Memories of Hot Kisses, and Tears stained on the beige, and pink colored seats of Cadillac Convertibles, and A Pretty Girls Pin up Curls.

Marilyn Monroe with her Bombshell, Jaw dropping Red Sequin Dress, adorned by a perfect V shape slit revealing “too much” for this conservative age. Her fashion statements were both dazzling, and shocking her fans, and foes. She brought a new view to feminism through her challenging, and empowering style. Encompassing both confidence in being openly expressive, and playing hard to get through timeless modesty.

Elvis Presley, and his Raspy Blues were stuck in the hearts of reckless lovers, and weaved into the fabrics of knit sweaters over white collared button ups, and Polka dot bikinis.

The age of Record Players, Juke Box’s, and Live Bands at Prom was in full swing. And the music that made the decade magic was framed around the picturesque setting of laughing girls in roller skates, and milkshakes at midnight with the radio blaring Ritchie Vallens.

Foam Rollers effortlessly placed in Platinum Blonde Hair, Bright Colored Nail Polish, Silk Nightgowns and Robes, Posters of a heartthrob taped to the walls with lipstick stained kiss marks. Dancing around the bedroom holding a letter from a Soldier who called his girl “Angel Baby.”

Red Lips, and Cat Eye Liner, Powered Faces, and Sun Soaked Skin. Pony Tails, and Combs in back pockets. Greased up finger tips, and thick mascara stained on rosy cheeks.

Happy Days, and Weekend Cruise nights in Classic Cars, Racing down the L.A. Strip in a T-Bird shouting; “Burn Rubber”. Forward chicks in high heels, and tight pants were swinging bandana's in the air to signal “the race is on”.

Carnival Dates, and Cotton Candy colored dresses with matching bows in wind blown hair. The suburbs covered in friendly faces sharing food, and fireworks in celebration of our Independence. Where neighbors were like family, and family though going about their busy lives were making time to huddle in the living room to watch The Ed Sullivan Show.

“Play Ball” echoed through neighborhoods during hot summer evenings, and “The Babe” was written on the bats of Baseball enthusiasts, and in the sweat that stained the brow of young boys daring to be someone greater.

The 50's were a time of Hoppin' Music, Dames and Dudes hell bent on leaving their marks in their towns they aimed to paint red by graduation, and Classic Cars that left their tread marks down back roads with signs that said, “Slow Down Kids”.

It was a time of Hand Jives, Bake Sales at every Corner, The smell of Cigarettes masked with “Chanel No 5.” And BBQ get-together's with the kids down the block.

Patriotic Dads with a newspaper obsession just trying to make ends meet, and Housewives reading the Cosmopolitan they tried to hide while relaxing in a bubble bath.

Road Rash, Broken Hearts, Empty Class Halls, And War torn scars were all part of this Romanticized Decade in our History; but so was living with full breaths, daring to take the leap, and wearing hearts on sleeves. Folks in the 50s had Class, and Sass. They weren't afraid to Dream, to Chase the seemingly unattainable, and fight against the social norm. They danced to the beat of their hearts. And with every puff of smoke, and exhaust, every two step, and starry eyed gaze, every wishful “dear diary” spill out, and late night that ended in a haze. With every “Oh Donna”, and “Love me Tender”.. The 1950's carved its trademark into our hearts forever.

One day I’d hope to see.. The Couples dancing again to music left on dusy records, the puffy dresses, and greaser jitters. The Soldiers coming home from war greeted by strangers with a handshake, the neighborhood with laughter, and compassion. A world living in Color without the fear to breathe. A time, and fad.. That could go together hand in hand with our modern day desires to live out loud, and fast.