SOME OF THE BEST
17 NOVEMBER 1998
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Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
To write it out is to let it go.
At times I'm unsure what part of a past Flight
Plan turns someone on enough to request that I repeat it. That's the case with Clive's
request today. "Dear Rod: Please reprint the flight plan for 11/17/98, Thanks,
Clive"
ASK ROD
AS DAYS GO BY
I visited the Internet the other day with the slim hope of finding a
reference to you, since I had tried unsuccessfully before. I was delighted to find
mckuen.com. Your poetry speaks to me in profound ways. I first encountered your poems in
1994, when I was 22. I found a collection entitled "Alone" - I was captivated. I
have the same feelings toward aloneness, loneliness, "the young heart beating in the
dark room" and sunlight. Those writings have assisted me during impossible times.
Your "Outstretched Hand" has provided a bridge through the darkness.
I own almost every book of your poems, and many records. My favorite poem is "Kearny
Street". My second favorite is "Some thoughts for Benson Green on his
twenty-seventh birthday". I turn 27 in December. My question is: What thoughts would
you have, what advice, for me, as I approach 27? Thank you, and please keep writing. Eric
L. Coker
Dear Eric, I turned 27 a long time ago but I remember thinking I was running out of time
for everything. A career, finding someone I could love and settle down with, trying to
make enough money at odd jobs to support my writing and most of all that I would never
have time enough to learn all I wanted to know about, seemingly everything. Guess what?
While a little impatience is a good thing, don't let it be the driving force in your life.
Relax a bit, enjoy yourself more.
Your twenties are terrific, but your thirties will be much better in every way. When you
reach your forties you'll discover that anything you experienced before can't compare with
the work, fun and pure living these years bring. Fifty is sobering, you'll have a
momentary twinge but you'll get over it. You might even discover what it is in life you
really want to do. I didn't and I still don't know. But it hasn't stopped me from plodding
forward, always open to new ideas and experiences. Here I am in the middle of my sixties
and I'm positive my best work is in front and not behind me. I have more energy than ever
and yes; I am running out of time. Aren't we all. You too, Eric --- even at twenty-seven.
The point is you will never have enough time. So what. If I had one piece of advice for
anyone your age it would be, STOP AND THINK. Before you do, say, commit to anything. I
played most of my life by the seat of my pants and believe me that is no way to navigate
something as important as life. Think about the possible ramifications of everything you
do. It will keep you honest with yourself. You'll never be totally satisfied with
anything. Sorry. That's just the way it is. But each mistake you make will make the good
experiences better. There will be lots of those.
OK, Eric, Eyes wide open, ears alert, march straight into twenty-seven. You're in for the
time of your life, you lucky bastard. Love, Rod
PS: You wanna hear something strange? (and
this is apropos of nothing). When you get to be sixty-five, 27 & 28 year olds of both
sexes seem to think you're terrific. I haven't worked that one out yet, but I assure you,
I'm not complaining. You won't either when it happens to you.
BARNSTORMING
Rod, If you want a barn, we can get you one...it also has a rainbow
painted on it. It's a cool barn and you could store an amazing amount of items in it. Dana
& Lee
Dear Dana & Lee, Thanks. Every week or so someone tells me about a barn that's
available. Trouble is I want to build one in my own back yard. What are the logistics of
moving your Rainbow Barn? Rod
TEE FOR TWO
Hey. Rod. I collect T-shirts. A friend of mine remembers seeing a
Family Circle article from the late 70's about your T-shirt collecting hobby. Is she
right? Do you still? If so, what's your favorite? Barb (The T Shirt Lady)
Dear Barb, I still collect T-Shirts in a big way. Have them from all over the world. Some
of my favorites include DON'T ROCK THE ROCKETTES! (from the time when those performers
staged a successful demonstration against Radio City Music Hall for better compensation);
a Tee John Lennon wore that says GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, Frank Sinatra's sweatshirt from THE
OLD BLUE EYES IS BACK sessions. Tee's from various peace rallies around the world
including Tieniman Square and Bosnia and a couple I was involved in during the 60's. My
original olive drab Army issue T. from Basic Training at Ft. Ord (circa 1953.) Anyone
sending me a T is usually rewarded with a CD or a book. Have some bizarre ones too, like
O. J. MAY BE GUILTY, BUT SO WHAT (!), SAVE THE RAIN FORREST, PISS ON A PROTESTOR and many
that can't be reprinted on this airstrip. Regards, Rod PS: I wear an extra large because
they shrink & I don't.
KOREAN TOUR
Dear Mr Rod, I'm very happy I can write this mail to you. You always
give me comfort of spirit through your voice and lyricism. I'm a Korean and I have many
albums of yours. There are so many people in my country who like you. So you have a lot of
recordings released here, including just recently your Greatest Hits album.
I wish you would come to Korea for concerts, and I hope it will be soon. I will marry at
January 17, '99. I am ordering a book and an album. Again, my best wish is to see you in
concert in Korea. Yours, Sang-Wook Yoon
Dear Rod McKuen, I have been told you may be coming to The Far East soon for some concerts
that will include Korea. We are looking forward to it. You have many fan clubs here. My
favorite album of yours is La Mer / The Sea. Sincerely, Kim Ho
Dear Sang-Wook & Kim, There has been some talk by the company that releases my
recordings in Korea and Taiwan of doing a Far Eastern tour. I hope it happens. The people
in Korea have always been very supportive of my work and it would be a way of saying Thank
You and also give me a chance to visit your beautiful country again. Kindest Regards, Rod
BELCHER LANDING & BOSTON
Dear Rod, I heard a recording by you of a poem on a radio station I
was listening to. In this poem you spoke of Don, your boyhood friend. At the end you said
something to the effect of "I often wonder what happened to Don, and what happened to
myself". Sorry for the incorrect quote. The verse stayed with me all these years. I
believe it was 1972, the only time I ever heard it.
Seasons in the Sun was terrific, not just that individual work, but the book of verses you
did with that title. Also enjoyed when you narrated "Say Goodbye". Would you
please either print "Don" for me or let me know where I can find the book it is
in? Always been a fan of yours Bill Melville.
Dear Bill, The track you mentioned is called "Belcher Landing" and it's from a
four record set I did with Anita Kerr entitled "The Seasons". Belcher Landing
appears on "Summer". I reprinted it in the Flight Plan of August 7th of this
year and it can be downloaded from the archives of this site. Thanks for remembering the
documentary "Say Goodbye". It was produced by David Wolper & nominated for a
documentary Oscar. Regards to you & Janet. Rod
THE WORD WENT OUT FROM BOSTON
Dear Rod: I've been trying to get hold of and read all of your
books. I have 'raided" the library shelves and also was able to buy some of your
books at a wonderful local store filled with "precious books". I want to find
out if the book you were writing in 1974, "The Word Went Out From Boston" (as
mentioned in the author's note in "Moment To Moment") was ever published -- or
have I not done my homework? Also, is there any fixed date yet for the release of "A
Safe Place To Land"? I think it would be the "ultimate" if we were able to
see you in Concert. God Bless you. Nan Peden
Dear Nan, "The Word Went Out From Boston" was never completed; though I've saved
the original notes from it. Earlier this month on November 9th I used the Flight Plan to
print two selections originally intended for that book but published in another.
"Flashback Boston" & "North St. Remembered" can both be found in
& downloaded from the archives 11/9/98. As to concerts, don't expect any in the U.S.
for awhile since there is still no promoter involved in booking them. "A Safe Place
To Land" is scheduled for publication in the fall of 1999. All the Best, Rod
History is still in there punching and occasionally in these parts being punched out.
Here's a little of it, all the same.
LIGHT UP THE SKY
Tonight and tomorrow night watch for The Leonid Meteors to produce a shower of light that
according to some scientists and astronomers may be one of the most brilliant of the
century. The Leonoids, so named because they seem to emanate from the constellation Leo,
make an annual appearance, but every 33 years they dip close to the earth and reach their
peak. This is it folks, till 2032. Depending on what part of the world you live in there
may be one per minute or hundreds per hour. One of the best places to view them is
Southeast Asia. There will be live Internet feeds from that part of the world.
In 1833 astronomy writer Agnes Clerke wrote that as many as 240,000 meteors were seen in
the nine hours they fell over the eastern United States. Other witnesses at the time
reported huge fireballs that left shadows and smoke trails miles long. This year there is
some worry that the Leonid shower might pock mark or even disable some of the many
satellites circling the globe.
On this date in 1626 St. Peter's church in Rome was dedicated. In 1820 Longfellow's first
poem is published. Today in 1852 The Duke of Wellington had a grand funeral at St. Paul's
Cathedral. Elton John was conspicuously absent. In 1869 The Suez Canal is formally opened
and in 1913 the first ship sailed through the Panama Canal (Alex Drey had a route canal in
1881.)
In 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur & Orville finally get it up and the
air age begins. Sylvia Beach opens the doors of Shakespeare & Company, the first
combined English language lending library and bookshop in Paris, in 1919. In 1938 Kay
Kayser starts making swing. De Beers of South Africa manufactured the first synthetic
diamond in 1959. Hope all your diamonds are real and your swing through this autumn is
warm.
- RM 11/16/98 First published in Flight Plan 11/17/98 |
