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A Thought for Today
Accept smiles from strangers, but not
unwrapped candy.
A TRIP TO
THE WAREHOUSE
. . . or in this case the five
storage units that hold all the Stanyan / McKuen stuff. Dwight, Edward and
I braved the must and dust on Saturday to restock Stanyan By Mail for
holiday sales. The lockers contain various ‘stuff’ that badly needs
sorting. I mean, how many copies of the “Kingdom Come” LP do we need to
save?
Still, there are some treasures in those lockers and Dwight managed to
find his share of them. He turned up copies of “Suspension Bridge,” “The
World of Rod McKuen,” “Finding My Father" (bound galley’s), a songbook we
haven’t offered in the past and a few more “A Man Alone” Limited Editions.
Now that we’re getting so many LP requests he found several we haven’t
offered but will. Edward bitched (we were using his van and he would
rather have been at the beach,) Dwight had a sneezing fit and I came home
with aches and pains from lifting and shuffling cartons of books &
records. You can read further descriptions of just what is being offered
by the week’s end on the
Stanyan By Mail site.
ASK ROD
Many of the letters I get
start out with “Where can I get?” or “How do I find?” Today’s E-mail
answers address some of those questions.
CALENDARS
Dear Mr.
McKuen, In the 1960s, I bought a new Rod calendar every year as a
Christmas present for a special friend. She was a great fan of yours, as I
am, and always looked forward to her calendars. Then, all of a sudden, I
was no longer able to find them. Do you think there is a chance that these
might come out again? These calendars are collector's items just as your
music and books are.
Thank you for taking the time to answer your fan's questions.
Sincerely, Lorna Smith
Dear Lorna: Please see the item above. Luv, Rod. (Well, that means if
Lorna buys one for herself and another for a friend there are now only 42
copies left.
ROME ITSELF
In the late
seventies, I loved a man. And we, in turn, loved your
poetry. I remember one in particular had a line in it something like and I
will drive you into Rome, or I will drive Rome into you.
It's
been a long time since I've had that book of your poems, but I would like
to find it again. Can you tell me the name of the book? Diana
Dear Diana: The poem you are referring to is “Rome Itself” and it can be
found in the books “Fields of Wonder” and “Seasons in the Sun.” Here’s a
copy of it.
Rome Itself
I carry
down between my legs
Rome itself,
for you love Rome
and I would drive Rome into you
or drive you into Rome.
This room your coliseum
till you board your plane.
These arms your forum,
cats included.
Self-propelled am I
between the morning
and the midnight
I glide along your groin
and earn my wings
by testing out your thighs
like some new willful Wiley Post.
My flight is not away
not to or from.
Above you, below you -
I soar around you
and perch upon your second pillow.
I have no need
for such mechanical devices
as winged shoes or wings.
I am made uncommon by the need to know you
and thereby come to know myself.
Rome
though in the distance
is no farther than the dresser
and not so far away
that I can’t take you there.
For me the Spanish Steps
are centered on your tongue
and Caesar could content himself
with California wine
had he your eyes to follow
and your breath to capture
with his own breath.
We’ll go to Rome
as slowly as you like
and be there by tonight.
-from “Fields of Wonder,”
1971 & “Seasons in the Sun,” 1974
THE JUNIOR
PROM
Dear
Rod, Every time I see a cloud, I think of your lines, "Clouds are not the
cheeks of angels, you know they're only clouds." Especially, when I'm in
an airplane. I don't know how many times I've quoted your words to
friends.
I've sent you a couple other emails. Please read them.I'm trying to get
published now, and I need your permission to quote one of your poems in my
story. Saw you at the hungry i the night of my junior prom. Boy, was that
a night. Regards, Ruth B. Canaway
Dear Ruth: Thanks for writing and feel free to quote away as long as the
source and copyright date are given. Also, depending on how many lines are
used you may have to pay a small fee to Cheval books.
Thanks especially for spending part of your “Junior Prom” evening with me
at the hungry i. That has to have been in Nineteen Never Mind, Right?
Affectionately, Rod
THE TEAR STAINED PAINTING
Hi Rod,
Hope you are well and happily busy. Lord knows I am with my new house, a
woman with a drill and chainsaw is a very freeing experience.
Anyway, I got an item on eBAY which is a photo of a detail from a
painting. The detail is of you, with a glass of champagne, sitting at a
table and there are tears streaming down your face. I am curious about the
painting, who did it, where is it, where was it painted and what the tears
represent.
If the champagne was other than Vouve, I can understand the tears (a
champagne snob's reaction). Do you have the actual painting in your
possession?
I am collecting some of the promo ads on eBAY and plan to have them framed
and give them as gifts. Hopefully, I will collect some that are favorites
of friends of mine, in time for Christmas.
Got the next shipment of The Blond and there is a bottle with your name on
it. Will try to get one to you in a bit. Cheers, Jana
Dear Homemaker Jana: Congratulations on the new digs.
I find the thought of a woman with a chainsaw and a drill a frightening
image, especially is she’s tanked to the gills with Tall Blonde Vodka. No
pictures please!
Speaking of pictures, please send me the jpeg of the one you mentioned
from the painting. This I gotta see. Have no idea of what you’re talking
about. Sounds like another send-up, of which I’ve had my share. Do people
really bid on that kind of stuff?
If you insist on sending me a bottle of “Blonde” I suppose I’ll have to
accept. As ever, Rod
THE THINGS MEN DO
Hi
there! Listening to "The Things Men Do" makes me want to make it the
"National Anthem"....amen!
I have been searching through my books of your poetry and can't seem to
find the lyrics ? Is it in one of the books? I want to send out the lyrics
to everyone that I know and "stir the spirit". Please, tell me where the
lyrics are published.
Thank you and thanks for lots of hours of peace and happiness and joy.
Lucinda Hathaway
Dear Lucinda: I’ve been thinking a lot about that song lately too. Back in
the 1960’s I used to sing it at every concert. The words and music are
available in two different song Books “McKuen at Carnegie Hall” & “The
Songs of Rod McKuen Vol. 2.” Meanwhile here are the words.
The Things Men Do
It makes me cry to see the things
Some men do to one another
Makes me cry to see the things some men do.
Every street’s a battlefield and every door’s a jail
And never the sword and not the shield
Can stay the widow’s wail.
I cannot understand, I will not understand
Why freedom stumbles in our land
And it makes me cry to see the things
Some men do to one another
Makes me cry to see the things some men do.
Every road’s a bitter road and songs are only songs
And when in church children kneel
They cannot right the wrongs
I cannot understand, I will not understand
Why terror rumbles in our land
And it makes me cry to see the things
Some men do to one another
Makes me cry to see the things some men do.
Every night’s a lonesome night that lasts a lonesome year
And torches all the brighter burn
To burn away the fear
I cannot understand, I will not understand
Why freedom staggers in our land.
And it makes me cry to see the things
Some men do to one another
Makes me cry to see the things some men do.
Words & music by Rod McKuen,
1964, 1966
I have great faith in this
country and the people who live and work here. This too will pass.
FINDING MY FATHER
Posted by LaP on The Message
Board October 16:
Where am I
likely, if at all, to find a copy of 'Finding my Father'? I am guessing it
is out of print...is it? I live in the UK and have made enquiries locally
but no luck so far...I am still trying.
I was hoping to be able to give it as a Christmas present to a remarkable
young man, who, some ten or so years ago my husband and I almost adopted.
But at the age of 21 he was an adult and had family of sorts but not a
happy person...he was looking for his father... Anyway I went one better
and helped him find and talk to his Dad...perhaps with hindsight this was
not a wise thing to do...but we survived the trauma...and I think stronger
for the experience.
He, 'Poor Dear Boy', still has a long way to journey in this life ... and
come to terms if ever...in accepting his presence in this world as a
'bastard child'. But he knows we are there should he need someone to talk
to...I could not be more proud of him had he been my own son. His
achievements over the years have astounded me. From having few
qualifications...he proudly holds a Masters Degree...but that’s not all he
is working steadily towards achieving the ultimate, a Doctor of
Philosophy. This boy has such determination.
He is also reserve in the British Army as a Royal Engineer and at 33 years
of age may be called upon to go into action should this war escalate. I
cannot even bear to think about this.
So I am
hoping that I can get hold of this book soon...here's hoping someone might
help me locate a copy...Thanks in anticipation...LaP
Dear LaP: I don’t get a chance to read The Message Board very often and in
fact the couple of times a year I do scan it, I feel like a Peeping Tom.
Despite the fact that it’s called “The Rod McKuen Message Board” I’m not
all that comfortable monitoring messages about myself.
You are right about “Finding My Father” being out of print but your
message happened to coincide with our discovering a number of bound
galley’s of the book at one of our storage lockers. A Galley Proof is like
the finished book with the exception that it is softbound and lacks the
photographs that were featured in the published edition. There were
hundreds of thousands of copies of the commercial book offered for sale,
so the Galley Proofs are a lot rarer too. Less than 200 bound galley’s
were made to be given out to the press in advance of the publication date.
You can find out more about how to order a copy by following the
Stanyan By Mail link.
Having been there I know what not knowing who he was, or anything else
about your father, can mean to a youngster. Your friend sounds like a very
resourceful young man and I doubt that anything will hold him back from
pursuing the goals he sets. If you do order a copy of the book please
include your friends name so I can autograph it for him.
You might have already tracked down a copy of “Finding My Father” and if
so, send me a bookplate and I’ll be glad to sign it. Thanks and Kindest
regards, Rod
IN SEARCH OF EROS, BY ROD WHO?
Dear Mr McKuen, I have been searching for over 20
years to get your In Search of Eros on CD. Is there a way I might be able
to find some one to burn a CD for me? It was my favorite album, along with
Listen to the Warm. I almost have that one memorized. Anything you could
do for me I would greatly appreciate it. Also will you ever release your
Sea, Earth and Sky again on CD?
Thanks so much again. Also I met a lady 72 years old in the book store
over the weekend in Denver who was asking a clerk if they had any of your
recordings, and he said Rod who? We have become friends because of you.
Thank you for all the gifts you have given us. Chris
Dear Chris: Cassettes of “In Search of Eros” by Rod Who? are running low
at Stanyan, but there are still some copies available. A CD will be
released in the future but there is no scheduled date.
Later this month there will be a whole Flight Plan devoted to “The Sea”
and all the other San Sebastian Strings albums and if and when they will
be available on CD.
Rod Who? gives whole new meaning to the film title “What to Do in Denver
When You’re Dead.” Can’t blame some of those young whippersnappers for not
knowing everything. I’m glad I have folks like you and your friend to help
educate them. Luv, Rod
Join Ken tomorrow for his weekly turn on the site with “This One Does It
For Me.” And join me in celebrating the 70th birthday of a great reporter,
Dan Rather. Till Thursday, sleep warm.
RM 10/30/2001 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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