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‘Summertime’ by Jan Oskar Hansen is Write Out Loud’s Poem of the Week

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Jan Oskar Hansen is Norwegian, and has been a regular contributor to Write Out Loud for over four years. His poems often draw on his experiences as a sailor, or explore his memories. Jan is clearly a man of mystery, and we haven’t yet had any response to him for our Q&A, so we’ll simply let you enjoy his poem Summertime.

 

Summertime
by Jan Oskar Hansen


 When I was young, and it was summer
we went to the beach with a bulky gramophone
a stack of vinyl records and a bag of beer.
We drank and sang the modern tunes of the day
of the type, the elderly scoffed at and we
had to keep an eye on the police as it was
forbidden to drink beer at the coastline
(In Norway back then most things was banned)
In the night when the grown-up had left
we made love, and it was not needed to force
the girls they too came for sex and to choose
the man they wanted to marry and did.
I was a seaman then and when I came back
my most of the gang was married there were
only two left we didn`t bother with the music
but brought three bags of beer and talking about
how lucky we had been avoiding the marriage
trap, but knew in our hearts we were losers.

 

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Comments

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suki spangles

Sun 24th Jun 2018 04:58

Hi there Jan,

Congratulations, and well deserved. Not before time.

Cheers,
Suki

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Karunesh Kumar Agarwal

Fri 22nd Jun 2018 17:15

You are best.

<Deleted User> (19708)

Fri 22nd Jun 2018 12:59


Jan,

Thank You. A refreshing read!

CQ

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John F Keane

Thu 21st Jun 2018 18:13

Grim Norse poem about the disappointments of life. However, some of us didn't even get as far as disappointment. Great stuff.

elPintor

Tue 19th Jun 2018 17:17

As a reader who's enjoyed your blog for a couple of years now, it's gratifying to see you recognized.

Looking forward to more, Jan,

Rachel

<Deleted User> (13762)

Tue 19th Jun 2018 08:59

Hearty congratulations Jan. Your prose style poetry might not be to everyone's taste but I have always admired your ability to tell a story within a story within a story which often builds the whole into a quite surreal experience. I often think of Gunter Grass when reading your work and the fact that his writing was referred to as 'magic realism' somehow sums up the way I feel about yours. All the best, Colin.

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Martin Elder

Mon 18th Jun 2018 19:22

A marvellous poem Jan well done and many congratulations

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raypool

Mon 18th Jun 2018 12:38

A well deserved accolade Jan; it gladdens my heart to see you here - having a style all of your own singles you out as a unique man. There is more to you than meets the eye.
This is an honest and great contribution, stripped down to home truths.

Ray

<Deleted User> (18980)

Mon 18th Jun 2018 08:55

Well done Jan!

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keith jeffries

Mon 18th Jun 2018 08:49

Jan,
Congratulations of achieving POTW. It is well earned.
Keith

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