20th & 21st December, 2004
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Rod in “The Best is Yet to Come” 11/6/04
Photo by Shira Greenburg ©2004 by Broadway.com. Used by Permission
A Thought for Today
There are no wise men. Only men and women
who go on gaining wisdom by remaining open and willing to learn.
.ASK
ROD
I’m beginning to wonder if old loves who were separated early on for one
reason or another and are getting together again in later years is
becoming a trend. I offer these recent letters for thought on the
subject.
LOVE COMES HOME
I hope I can keep this short! In my mid-60's now
and married to the guy that it should've been all along.....met him at
15 and HE let go, but we found our way back and that's the important
part. He's very ill now and I know I'm going to lose him in the next few
months. I've been re-reading some of your poetry and listening to some
of the tapes (even 8-tracks!!!) I still have and just kind of
re-focusing on what's really important about this journey called life.
One of my friends from another lifetime ago and I shared (and DO share)
your poetry and it's just a great place to be! So the thanks is for
putting into words all those elusive feelings and sometimes
accountability! When you were so VERY popular, I wanted to write, but
have always been one of those not wanting to be just one of the
crowd......so now, better late than not....thank you!!!
I'm a pianist as well......it's MY thing and centers me like nothing
else, whether it be preparations for church or just practicing
.....Whatever! It's my praise, my tears, sometimes my laughter and often
just my safe place to be. I'm glad I found your site and your continuing
story.... Harriette
Dear Harriette, I don't know if this will be of any comfort to you but
we never lose those we really love. They may be gone or out of sight but
that great machine called memory continues to bring them back whenever
we need them. Even better, after awhile recollection erases flaws and
bad times. It quashes quarrels, makes moonless midnights starry and
skies we thought cloudy turn blue without a bulletin or notice. I know
it to be so and that's why I can say I'm still in love with everyone
I've ever loved.
Look how blessed you are to have a childhood love return again and this
time stay. I know when you think about it you will always be grateful
that in these later years you were able to rekindle that feeling you
shared so long ago. When it's time for him to leave, help him go
peacefully. The passage from this transitory life is so much easier when
someone who loves you gives you permission, even encourages you to let
go. How fortunate you are to have each other.
I'm pleased that you stumbled over me out here in space and I thank you
for the kinds words. It's great that you have your music to comfort you,
I can't imagine coping without music. With affection, Rod
THE 45TH OF MAY
Dear Rod: Last night when my fiancé asked me "On
what date do you want to get married?" a question I haven't yet had a
definitive answer to, I answered "The 45th of May." Where'd that come
from? I haven't listened to your music or poetry for at least 30 years,
so to say I was surprised by the words I spoke is an understatement.
I began thinking of the song that lyric is from, and the best I can
remember is "I've never seen the unicorn at dawn, before I waken he
usually is gone; but would I know him if he ever came along, or think
him something beyond. There are some things I've never ever said, some
words still wandering around inside my head...." And I remember the
lyric "the 31st of April and the 45th of May, and as I'm remembering
it’s all from the same song.
So you ask yourself, why is this woman paraphrasing my work back to me?
Well, here's why: My fiancé and I should have been married 30 years ago,
but life and egos got in the way, and we parted. We've found each other
again just recently, and come to find out we're not quite as stupid now
as we were back then, so we're getting married 30 years late.
Since love has a familiar but new definition in my life at this time,
and remembering how your work touched us so long ago, I would like to
buy some of your work on CD or whatever medium it is on -- even if I
have to buy an LP vinyl record player. Can you tell me what album that
song is on, and the correct name of that song?
Thank you from a friend and fan who has come home twice in the last few
months, once to the first man I ever loved and once to your beautiful
words.
Susan Kingsbury (not for long, though)
Dear Susan, Thanks for the nice words. As for discovering each other all
over again, as Sammy Cahn wrote, "love is lovelier the second time
around . . ." So I hope neither of you ever consider the last 30 years
wasted.
The lyric is from the title song to the album "Something Beyond." It's
mainly an orchestral suite and just happens to be one my favorites of
anything I wrote during that period. Yes, I was in love and it was a
very creative time in my life. "Something Beyond" isn't available yet on
CD, though I've often thought of coupling it with "Written in the Stars"
(The Zodiac Suite) and issuing them on a single compact disc. The
Stanyan Store still sells the LP.
Since I wrote the music and lyrics to "Something Beyond" that entitles
me to assign the 45th of May to any day I wish. In 2005 I've chosen June
11th as the 45th of May. That's a Saturday and as we all know the second
Saturday in June is an ideal time for a wedding (if you get my drift.) I
leave the rest up to you. Here are the lyrics:
Something Beyond
I’ve never seen the unicorn at dawn
Before I waken he usually has gone
But would I know him if he ever came along
Or think him merely one more Something Beyond.
There are some things I’ve never ever said
Some things still wandering around inside my head
That stay here waiting for the dawn of love to come
Or are they waiting for Something Beyond?
Beyond the day, beyond the day
Beyond the thirty-third of April
Or the forty-fourth of May.
It well may be I’ll never come to see
The secret secrets of the darker side of me
But I’ll keep looking till the need to look is gone
My arms reach out toward Something Beyond.
Words & Music by Rod McKuen ©1967 by Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music Group.
Copyright Renewed. All Rights Reserved
I hope whatever day you decide to get hitched that you’ll feature both
Cahn and Van Heusen’s “The Second Time Around” as well as McKuen’s
“Something Beyond.” Warmly, Rod
SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Rod. I received a copy of your book listen to the
warm in 1970, from my 17 year old boyfriend Jim. I was 15. I always
cherished the book because he had underlined some of the poem. 38 years
later I was divorced and now am married to Jim and we still read the
book that I’ve had all these years. We thought we saw you in Isla
Mujeres, Mexico a few years back. If you weren’t there that is OK too.
The mystery of the man dressed in white, with the white beard, we
stopped and looked at each other and knew what each other was thinking,
it's Rod. We were both afraid to approach the man, because we were
afraid our fantasy would not be fulfilled. Two years later, we still
talk about the mysterious man in the zocola dressed in white. Thanks
again for the book and the memories. Stephanie and Jim Yost
Dear Stephanie and Jim, I’m a sucker for love stories. Especially those
I might be remotely involved in. For me you will continue to be a symbol
of the maxim “anything good is worth waiting for.” Congratulations on
finally getting it right. From where I stand thirty-eight years is a
drop in Time’s bucket.
As to the adventure in Mexico, you never know. I have been known to
wander and muck about in my zocola on yonder plain so Isla Mujeres is
not completely out of the question (fortunately my keepers usually find
me, throw a net over my head and bring me back). As for not saying
“Hello,” that’s probably a wise decision on your part. I have enough
problems fulfilling my own fantasy of myself let alone measuring up to
what others think I am or should be.
My love to you both and again Who Ray for rekindling a flame that
obviously didn’t need much kerosene to ignite it. Long may it burn.
Warmly, Rod
MARYANN & TED
I saw you about 1970 or so in concert at Clowes
Hall in Indianapolis. And it was just amazing. My GF Sheila and I were
asked to move closer to the front. And we loved it. You touched me
deeply and I fell in love to the sound of that voice, one time to one
man. My first love was Ted. He enjoyed you too.
We are still good friends and I hope that maybe someday we can once
again be more. We are both single and in our fifties with grown kids.
Thank you for all the lovely memories. Mary Ann Nelson
Dear Mary Ann, Clowes Hall, boy that brings back good memories. I always
enjoyed the acoustics there and the Indiana audiences were the best. The
last time I was in Indianapolis I was able to hang around long enough to
make a tour of the second-hand bookshops and make a dent in flushing out
my collection of first editions by favorite authors. The mid-west always
seems to be fertile ground for finding books and even LP’s I missed the
first time around.
If you have been following today’s mail so far I trust your hopes are
high regarding an upcoming Mary Ann & Ted reconnection. Being in your
fifties you have the best of all possible worlds. You are youngsters as
well as seasoned citizens. Ain’t love grand?
I say get on with it. If necessary I’ll be pleased to nudge Ted for you.
From a selfish standpoint I have no intention of batting less than 100
in the reconnection sweepstakes. My Affection, Rod
AN OLD FRIEND WRITES
Hi Rod, You will likely be surprised to hear from
me, but I went to a 40th Anniversary dinner tonight for Cecil Williams -
40 years that he's been at Glide. Since moving here in 1970 I have
become good friends over the years with Cecil and Jan and though I'm not
a really religious person, have really loved the man for many years.
Truly a great person..... anyway, Cecil is 75 now and not in great
health. They celebrated his 40th at Glide tonight - many interesting
people there... Robin Williams, Joan Baez, Bill Cosby and others
performed. A really blissful, meaningful night... I just got home and
the reason I'm sending you this is because I once told Cecil several
years ago when my health had me worried when he asked me if I was afraid
of death I replied. "No Cecil, if I could have you and Rod McKuen with
me when I take my last breath I won't be afraid of anything." I know
this sounds crazy to you but somehow it all seemed necessary to share it
with you tonight. True, Rod, I've for years thought of you as someone
really special...... I'd like nothing better than to have a quiet lunch
with you sometime when you come to San Francisco. I recently turned 68
in November - in pretty good health, retired, and reflecting on years of
a pretty good life over all. your old friend, Wayne
Dear Wayne, The older I get the more I believe in ESP. You have been on
my mind this winter, seems like this year California went directly from
summer to winter, skipping autumn – my favorite season.
I have been reminded of winters long ago in NYC, where they really have
winters, and our friendship started one summer that has lived through so
many seasons. To have you mention me in the same breath with Reverend
Williams is the best of compliments. I love what he has done with his
life and because of his singular dedication how much he has contributed
to so many lives and to humanity in general. I don't find 75 all that
ancient but had I known of the event I'd have been there in a shot.
My own health has been just fine, except for a flu bug that has kept me
in bed for over two weeks. I think it is about to run its course (having
settled into my chest, the flem I'm coughing up hourly belongs in an art
museum.) No, I'm not tempted to spit it onto canvas rather than flush
it. Wish I owned stock in Kimberly-Clark.
As for you, my friend, you'll bury us all. Look what you have been
through and weathered. Lunch, absolutely. It's possible that I'll be in
SF sometime after the 1st to help out a friend in his race for a higher
political office. If it happens I'll let you know well in advance so we
can get together.
I send my love and friendship Wayne and my good thoughts for a happy
holiday season & long beyond for you and those you love. Rod
GENTLEMEN DON’T TELL TALES
About your poems: I have always thought that they
were good easy to understand and begging the question who were some of
them about ... I did do a couple of poems based on your titles but they
were never...posted... my fav was:
as I kicked a can up Stanyan Street after looking thru cracked
windows, at strangers, is this really the world.....I used to know...?
David Garden, Dundee, Scotland....U.K
Dear David, Thanks for the nice note . . .but a gentleman never tells.
In fact I dare say I've written works for those who still are not aware
that what I set down in words was written about or dedicated to them.
Cheers, Rod
AND FINALLY
I wouldn’t say the flu has fled but I feel better and finally stronger.
Thanks for all of your e-mails of support and good wishes. Need I remind
you to get a flu shot?
Webmaster Ken is still taking a breather so I’ll be back on Wednesday.
Sleep warm.
RM 12/19/2004 6:41 PM PST
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