A CONCERT IN SANTA
FE Click
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Photo by Bob Gentry ©2001
Stanyan Entertainment
A Thought for Today
There is nothing quite like kindness in
this world, we always recognize it when we see it.
I don’t know how many of you
plan on joining me Saturday Night July 21st in Riverton Wyoming for my
concert, but for those making plans to come out west for the event, here’s
some news. Eight days later on Sunday evening the 29th of July I’ll be
appearing in Santa Fe, New Mexico as part of an all star event to benefit
Santa Fe Cares & The Lensic Arts Foundation. Maybe some of you might want
to stick around the area for that event too.
While the concert in Riverton is a solo event the benefit is a group
effort that includes appearances by Julia Migenes, David Gaines, Sophie B.
Hawkins, Julie Budd, Kristine W, Liz Torres and a number of acts still to
be announced. Everybody’s favorite not so Hollywood Square Bruce Vilanch
will be the Master of Ceremonies.
The event will take place at the historic Lensic Theatre in downtown Santa
Fe. The theatre has been closed for two years while an extensive
renovation has expanded it into a dazzling new 843-seat state-of-the art
performing arts center.
It occurred to me that since many of you are planning to come from other
states and countries you might want to bookend an American West vacation
with the two shows. It’s just a thought and one I’m thinking seriously
about myself.
The American Southwest is one of the most beautiful places anywhere. It
has lush National Parks and forests, painted deserts, mesas and mountains,
beautiful waterfalls, flowing rivers and rough rapids. There are scenic
trails for horseback riding and walking and every modern highway has a
scenic view. If I sound like a spokesperson for the chamber of commerce,
so be it. This is my home country and I’ve criss-crossed it hundreds of
times and still only seen a small part of it.
The culture out here is a rich mixture of American Indian tribes, Aztec
and early Mexican lore and the people are fair and friendly. Among the
more notable and favorite destinations are the Grand Canyon, Brice, Death
Valley, The Grand T’s and for indoor types the famed Santa Fe Opera will
be in season. Anyway, think about the possibility of vacationing with me
way out west this year.
The Live at the Lensic concert will co-benefit The Lensic Arts Center and
Santa Fe Cares, a community foundation helping those living with HIV &
AIDS. When I know more about where to send for tickets, I’ll pass the
information along.
America’s first long summer
holiday weekend has arrived. Play safely, drive carefully and smile no
matter what happens. Try to be with someone you especially like and be
nice to them. If you are alone this is, of course, the perfect time to
think of those absent. Today a new poem written for and dedicated To One
Absent.
Sleep warm.
RM 5/262001 Previously
unpublished.
Booking for "An Evening with
Rod McKuen" at the Riverton Rendezvous is open! Click below for
more details:
Riverton Concert Details
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James Arness o
Helena Bonham Carter o
Peter Cushing o
Genie Francis o Al
Jolson o
Lenny Kravitz o
Peggy Lee o
Paul Lukas o
Frankie Manning o
Robert Morley o
Brent Musburger o
Stevie Nicks o
Alexander Pushkin o
Sally Ride o
Laurance Rockefeller o
Jay Silverheels o
Teresa Stratas o
Norma Talmadge o
Philip Michael Thomas o
John Wayne o
Hank Williams, Jr. |
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I’d
gladly go down in a whirlpool if all day I had ridden on a friendly
wave.
Each of us is earthbound, coming from the
stars or wading to the shore. Sailing out, we must sail back – even if
the voyage stops upon the ocean’s bottom or beyond the universe.
Friendship is an idea, not an invention, a
pledge, not a promise, and (with any luck at all) a lifetime, not merely
a season.
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TO ONE ABSENT |
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I do not have to
be with you
In order to be happy.
Knowing you are there,
where ever there is, is
enough.
To think of you and know that one day’
some day, some when,
we’ll be side by side for always
Is all the always that I need just now.
I do not feel this way because
we are apart this moment
I feel the way I do because
I waited for you all my life and so
a few days, years, whatever more
is less than all the years I spent
hoping you would finally come
until you did.
And when you did
however brief the time
we spent within each other’s arms
was time enough to see me through
this absence of you
however long this absence is.
Do I believe you love me?
I never doubt it. I found security
the Sunday I saw love
look back at me from you.
Then is when I knew
it would be you for always. Then
is when the courage came
that will sustain me
until whatever time has passed
until the time is right for us.
You are who
I think of every morning
and the pillow you I hold to me
throughout the whole of night.
I can wait with patience and I do.
I will, until . . .
RM 5/25/2001 • 1:33 AM • First publication. |
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