There was nothing but static.
Static that fills the hole where you
Once brought music into my life.
Memories, songs from long ago.
Songs I’d never heard before,
Songs that made me laugh and cry.
Now, silence is echoing with static.
How do I keep my sanity while
Dealing with the madness of traffic?
What do I do in this “musical desert”
All my choices are polarized; specific.
The static is all that remains,
In the ashes of the musical lack.
No love songs mixed with humor,
No classical mixed with Motown Black.
I feel so lost without you WMLB
“Avondale Estates” is dark and silent
The “Voice of the Arts” is no more.
Lilting melodies of loving laughter.
Raucous suggestive lyrics
Bring embarrassed smiles.
Finding commonality where there wasn't
Shivering thoughts resounding,
Tears caress my mind’s eye.
With emotions my heart pounding.
Rhythm throbbing as I utter a sigh
Childhood memories of radio stations
Reverberating though the ionosphere
Crossing continents and oceans
Bringing wonder, amazement and fear
Adult experiences with military,
Antenna’s a mile long, buried
Communicating with subs at sea
Inspired such wonder in me
Radio and static go hand in hand.
WMLB is but the latest station to go
Dark in my life, yet the static remains.
"Ode to my Favorite Radio Station"
by
Jerry E Smith
©5/20/2018
Perhaps a bit of explanation is called for here.
For most of my time here in Atlanta, the local PBS radio station would broadcast
A classical music program for 6 hrs every weekday from like 9 am-3 pm. It was
my 'Go To' spot on the radio when I was in the car; it helped me keep my
Cool while driving in this madhouse of Atlanta.
Then two yrs ago, they changed their format, and that slot on the 'dial' went
Away to be filled with "(omg!) Talk Radio" which I cannot abide.
I felt betrayed and abandoned.
Another friend turned me on to "WMLB, Avondale Estates, the 'Voice of the Arts'"
Which also had that classical segment, but that went away soon.
Oh, I forgot to mention, it was an AM station.
Their programming was an enormously varied and eclectic blend of music
From all the ages, music that was old, that I sometimes remembered,
Most times I didn't, but much of it was fantastically enjoyable.
Humor, Readings from great works of literature, comedy skits created and
Performed by the staff... it was simply great, like an adult college radio station.
Two weeks ago it died.
