The Flaneur was the guest of Peter Thompson's Bluegrass Signal
a radio program on KALX
for an evening concert aboard FDR's presidential yacht
The sun was setting when I came aboard
View of the Port from the deck
Roosevelt's sporty get-about
Beautifully preserved
No axe to grind with the old aristocratic class traitor
Wish there had been many more like him
The occasion tonight is rousing masterful concert by High Country,
I can testify that's where I was the entire time,
in high country
The main action occurs in the ship's dining room,
Amid the amber ambiance of period decor
Ghostly hats
As always an ashtray alongside
Medicine chest, note the morphine and the cocaine
Lots of spirits aboard
Whatever floats your boat
Everybody's aboard
and we're all smoking
Not least these living treasures
Singing in that transporting, plaintive,
traditional bluegrass style
A vintage lounge area,
Sign shows the various fun times had aboard
This prized artifact of American cultural, naval,
and political history
From bow,
To mid-ship
To stern,
Lingered out on the poop deck
for a refresher toke, a moment alone
The bassist and the banjo were like a locomotive,
The whole band interlocking with bluegrass perfection
An officer's bunk,
"Please don't sit on the bed" sign,
Always giving orders
The ship's office
Existing in past and present
at the same illusion of time
I could sail this,
Reminds me of my pad actually
Self-explanatory signage
Things were a bit more austere for the young swabies,
But hey, I just read about a sleeping pod
For rent in a San Francisco garage
Return to the music chamber
Sailing toward enchantment
The dobro player also sang
As did four of the other pickers,
Not to chose my favorite but it might have been him
Brass tacks of the history of the boat
See you again soon
11 September 2015
(last image August 2015)
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