THIS ONE DOES IT FOR ME! |
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A
Thought for Today
Loneliness is the casualty of absence.
Dear Ken,
I've thought long and hard about a favorite song of Rod's that really does it for me, but
I couldn't seem to choose one that was truly my favorite; it's just so hard to do. It's
kind of like trying to select a diamond from someone who's holding a handful out to you.
Each diamond is unique and beautiful, but they all look so wonderful that you simply can't
make up your mind which one to take. Rod's words and music have done me in so many times
over the years that I've lost count of those times long ago. So rather than tell you that
this one is my favorite; I'll just say that it is one of several handfuls of Rod's songs
that move me. This one does it for me.
When I hear Rod singing "The Beautiful Strangers," which he wrote for Frank
Sinatra, I become nostalgic, my eyes mist over and I think back to a time many years ago
when I was young, lonely, and searching. I too have needed, wanted, and found the love and
warmth of strangers. Their numbers certainly weren't legion, but there were some, and all
of them were beautiful, even the few who weren't. I'd like to think that what we found
together, even for that brief moment, meant as much to them as it
did to me. We didn't use each other Ken; rather we needed each other at the time, and I'll
be eternally grateful to those wonderful girls from my past who, as Rod wrote in the song,
"taught me neon's just as nice as afternoon sunshine" ... it really is you know.
I'll also always be grateful to Rod for finding just the right words and music to thank
them for me.
Take care,
Larry
Happy Birthday, Larry, and thanks for the
eloquent contribution. In my part of the world we take diamonds very seriously and I
really like the analogy.
Rod and I are off on our sabbatical as from next week so I'll catch up with you all next
month when we'll continue with this column. If you have a special McKuen song or poem drop
me a line at ken@mckuen.com telling me all about it
and I'll make sure the rest of the world hears about it.
- Ken, Johannesburg, October 27 |
