A
Thought for Today
Smile. Someone may be looking.
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the opening night of a
performance of Brel's work by Danielle Pascal, one of our foremost exponents of Brel and
Piaf's work. It was a magical evening with every number bringing the house down, none more
so than today's choice by David and Beth Anne, "I'm Not Afraid".
Now, if only I could persuade Danielle that her next
project should be a show based on Rod's work! Wouldn't that be a great start to the new
Millenium?
If you have a memory that's triggered by one of Rod's songs
or poems, drop me a line at ken@mckuen.com and I'll
make sure it's featured right here.
- Ken, Johannesburg, December 8
Dear Ken,
I actually have a few of Rod's songs that
evoke certain memories. Having been in the Army in the 60's, Soldiers Who Want To Be
Heroes, always struck a chord with me.
When I'm upbeat I hum Hit 'Em In The
Head With Love, and when the solitude overcomes me, I can always hear the strains of Lonesome
Cities somewhere in the back of my consciousness.
When I'm feeling a little bit bolder than
usual, I can usually relate to I'm Not Afraid.
Finally, just because I've been there, Amsterdam
has always been a favorite of mine.
David E. Richards, Urbana, Ohio
Dear Ken,
You asked us to tell you our personal
favorites, and from the moment I read it, my favorite has been the one he wrote with
Jacques Brel -- "I'm Not Afraid" -- the lines are so lyrical -- "what is
for real, what is for false, all of us seem to be caught in a waltz....."
When I read this I was 21, newly abandoned
by an abusive husband and spent many evenings sitting alone at a club while my girlfriends
danced and I watched the candle flames through my untouched goblet of wine...all around me
I saw people "turning around, turning again, when will the dancing ever end?"
I had been so afraid for so long, really afraid for my life, but with
Rod's achingly beautiful words playing in my heart, I felt strangely at peace and for the
first time in a long time, NOT afraid -- because Rod wasn't, and that somehow made me
feel safe.
Listen, I KNOW this probably sounds pretty
sappy, but I figure anything that helped me heal like that, both physically and
emotionally, was some prettty powerful stuff. And I will love Rod McKuen forever for that
(as if he hadn't already given me many reasons to do so anyhow....)
This is only my second visit to this site
(but of course not my last.)
Love from Beth Anne |
