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A Thought for Today
Every grief is the greatest grief until
the sorrow of tomorrow.
There are always plenty of
questions to answer on Monday. Here are a few. The first question has to
be my favorite.
TITLE NEEDED
What was
your book of poems called? Marcus Duchow
Dear Marcus, Take your pick.
And Autumn Came, 1954
And Autumn Came (Revised Version), 1969
Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows, 1966
Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows (Random House Ed.), 1967
Listen to the Warm, 1967
Lonesome Cities, 1968
In Someone’s Shadow, 1968, 1969
Caught in the Quiet, 1970
Fields of Wonder, 1971
And to Each Season . . ., 1972
Come to Me in Silence, 1973
Moment to Moment, 1972
Moment to Moment (Revised Edition), 1974
Seasons in the Sun, 1974
Celebrations of the Heart, 1975
Beyond the Boardwalk, 1975, 1976
Alone, 1975
Hand in Hand, 1977
The Sea Around Me, (British Edition), 1975
The Sea Around Me, (Revised US Edition), 1976
Coming Close to the Earth (British Edition), 1976
Coming Close to the Earth (Revised US Edition), 1977
We Touch the Sky (British Edition), 1977
We Touch the Sky (Revised US Edition), 1978
Love’s Been Good to Me, 1979
The Power Bright & Shining, 1980
Looking for a Friend, 1980
The Beautiful Strangers, 1981
Too Many Midnights, 1981
The Sound of Solitude, 1983
Watch for the Wind, 1983
Suspension Bridge, 1984
Intervals, 1986
Valentines, 1986
A Safe Place to Land, 2001
An Outstretched Hand, 1980
There might be a few I’ve missed.
Cheers, Rod
THE BLUEBIRD CARIES THE SKY ON HIS BACK
Here's a
real stumper! This question might sound a little weird, but i read a
poetry book a year ago that i feel in love with. I just can't figure out
who wrote the poem, I thought it was Thoreau, but anyway it had pictures
and the only thing I remember was that you wrote the preface. Do you have
any idea what it might
be, i think it was threw Stanyan books, but not sure. Thanks
Nate Roy
Dear Roy, I should have known this answer but it really did stump me so I
sent your question to Jay Hagan. Here’s his letter.
“Good
Morning Rod, This one took some time since I don't have most of the
Stanyan books that you released. But I used my noodle and did a little
search and found the following information. It’s from the Stanyan Book
“The Bluebird Carries the Sky On Its Back" by David Henry Thoreau: Forward
by Rod McKuen. Waterfalls, Jay”
Hope this helps, Roy. The book is available from Stanyan for $5.00.
Warmly, Rod
BACK POCKET
Mr.
McKuen, I have been in your back pocket since 1967. Bethany (Joedy Planes)
Dear Bethany, So that’s what that bulge is. I knew it wasn’t my empty
wallet. Thanks & Luv, Rod
I’M NOT AFRAID
Hi!
While listening to Frank Sinatra singing I'm not afraid, my boyfriend
recognized a Jacques Brel's song but could not remember the title. Could
you tell send me the answer? Thank you! Nathalie Riel, Montreal Quebec
Dear Nathalie: The original song Jacques Brel wrote using that melody was
“Fil De.” I liked the melody so much I’ve written three lyrics to it (so
far), “I’m Not Afraid,” “Sons of the Rich, Sons of the Poor” and “Still We
Go On.” Alas none of my adaptations into English match Brel’s brilliant
French lyric.
By the way did you know I’m the author (in English) of Gilbert Becaud’s
“Nathalie?”
GREAT BIG YELLOW WHEELS
Mr
McKuen, I have been looking around for what album or CD (if converted to
CD) some of your older stuff is on. In particular a silly little song
about a yellow wheel. I find a lot of lists with the names of albums but
none with a list of the songs on the albums.
Before she died my mother was a big fan of yours. She had a lot of your
albums and several of your books of poetry (the books being Christmas
gifts from me) but she put the stuff in storage and the storage locker was
broken into and the stuff stolen.
I am kind of looking for the stuff for memories sake. She and I would just
listen to the albums and talk about songs and what all you were saying and
how we felt about them. It was time just for the two of us since no one
else in the family could stand poetry or you. Ted Holeman
Dear Ted: Well I was able to attract the attention of two out of your
family; I’ll take what I can get. According to McKuen curator Jay Hagan
you are referring to the song “Some Trust in Chariots". It was originally
recorded for RCA on my album “The Loner”. It was briefly available on CD
in Rod McKuen’s Greatest Hits Vol, 2. If you can’t track it down the LP is
available from Stanyan By Mail. Here are the lyrics.
Some Trust in Chariots
There were those who must have thought us mad
spending all that time and money that we never had.
Well... some trust in chariots and some in marble banks
some of us just love each other and never ask for thanks.
There were those who must have thought us daft
from the way we cried together and the way we laughed.
Well... some trust in chariots and some in big machines
some of you save diamonds baby, some of us save dreams.
Some trust in chariots with great big yellow wheels
Well I had a ride in a chariot and Oh how lonesome it feels.
There are those who think of us fools
loving like a house on fire and breakin’ all the rules.
Some trust in chariots in chariots they ride
we ride the wings of love together... side by side.
Word & music by Rod McKuen
©1964 by Rod McKuen & The
Stanyan Music Group.
All the best, Ted. Rod
TRAINS
Rod, I
apologize for the late notice, but there is a train show at the Orange
Empire RR Museum in Perris, Ca this weekend Oct 6-7. Bob and I have set up
our model live steam guage 1 track and there are also rides available on
the full size engines (we can get you cab rides!). You sure would make our
day if you and Edward stopped by and said HI! We really enjoy all of your
poetry and songs especially about trains. Jackie Ward and Bob Starr
Dear Jackie & Bob: Great hearing from you and I am sorry I didn’t know
about the “Train Weekend” in Perris in time to make it. You can bet that
as a major train freak I’d have been there had I had some advance warning.
Hope you caught Sunday’s repeat (10/7)of my Flight Plan on Sinatra & His
Trains. Thinking of you both and thanks for remembering me and Edward. Luv,
Rod
HOW MANY COLORS OF BLUE
How many
colors of blue does the sky have? I have been wondering for many, many
years. Tom Anderson
Dear Tom: More than you or I could ever count. Cheers, Rod
I’D LIKE TO CRAWL BEHIND YOUR EYES
Hello
Mr. McKuen......"I'd like to crawl behind your eyes and see me the way
that you do".......please tell me what piece that is from so I can read
the entire piece....thank you,........A Big Fan, Anne Hoffman
Dear Anne, The words you mention were used in the San Sebastian Strings
album The Sea and the selection is entitled “The Storm". Here it is
The Storm
How can we be sure of anything ?
The tide changes
the wind that made the grain wave gently yesterday
blows down the trees tomorrow
and the sea sends sailors crashing on the rocks
as easily as it guides them safely home.
I love the sea... but it doesn’t make me less afraid of it.
I love you... but I’m not always sure of what you are
or how you feel.
I’d like to crawl behind your eyes sometime
and see me the way you do
or climb through your mouth
and sit on every word
that comes up through your throat.
Maybe I could be sure then
maybe I could know.
As it is I hide beneath your frowns
or worry when you laugh too loud.
Always worrying.
Always sure a storm is rising.
Words by Rod McKuen. Music
by Anita Kerry © 1967 by Anro Music
Kindest Regards, Rod
COMING CLOSE
Hello
Rod Years ago I came across a poem that you wrote entitled “Coming Close”.
I cannot remember the name of the book that it was in. Is it possible to
post the poem itself, or give me the name of the book that it's in? Thank
you, Jim Poch
Dear Jim “Coming Close" first appeared in “Coming Close to the Earth” and
later in “Love’s Been Good to Me". I’m publishing it below as the featured
poem of the day. Thanks for requesting it, Jim.
Sleep warm.
RM 10/14/2001 Previously
unpublished
Details of Rod's next
appearance can be obtained by following the link below.
"Tap
Your Troubles Away" - the music of Jerry Herman
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