INTO Week Six of isolation here and now we’re disinfecting our outer AND … by gonzo suggestion from the top… inner… surfaces.
It’s like a Shakespearean tragi-comedy, except we can’t spit out our words like dramatic stage actors for fear of an impending manslaughter charge. No aerosols please!
Last week I mused about our collective situation of isolation and suggested some ideas that might help deal with our fresh new world. I quoted singer Garth Brooks who noted that everything we want comes with both a blessing and a curse.
The words stuck in my head like a *yum* peanut butter and banana sandwich does to the roof of my mouth.
Blessing AND Curse.
Neither you nor I know what our world will look like in a year, there are too many moving and interactive parts for any rational assessment. This is the scientist in me speaking. My inner Bill Gates. We need rational thinkers like Bill and Melinda.
But with all of these unknowns… the artist, the creative me … holds onto a desire to think also in loftier terms, more emotional terms. It’s our artists – the musicians, the writers, the painters – that give us hope and joy in difficult times. We need artists as much as we need scientists.
And so I’m finding a bit more time in my days to write more prose, more song.
Yes, we’re on a ride folks.
And since the peanut butter phrase Blessing and Curse stuck with me I’m using it once again this week, this time in poetry and song form.
I hate cliches, but I’ll stoop now.
Be Humble. Be Kind. Stay Safe.
THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE
by Larry Green
Little ones chase that coin
the one rolling down the street
towards the gutter or the drain
your two hands reach to grab and save
both mamas pull the chain
Last month I sipped sweet coffee from your cup
stopped in narrow grocery aisles and chatted
you pass me by at distance now
wild-eyed like something rabid
can we resurrect the sacred cow
CHORUS
Flip the hands, see the change
litter scattered in the desert whirling
shrink from shadows watch the afterbirths
there’s beauty and there’s hurting
Fill me up don’t leave me empty
The blessing and the curse
Stash your voice inside your house
Strike x’s through your plans
Bake bread to soothe your troubled soul
Muse about the coulds and shoulda-haves
Search blind and madly fill the holes
Alone now but are you lonely
put the Tanqueray away
this fog confines but stars abound in space
bright neon light will shine again
we’ll leave our separate places
Next year I hope we meet once more
unlock the chains and hug the children
I’ll touch your shoulder when you’re shaking
Wipe the tears with ungloved hands
we’ll walk the road untaken
CHORUS
Flip the hands, see the change
litter scattered in the desert whirling
shrink from shadows watch the afterbirths
there’s beauty and there’s hurting
Fill me up don’t leave me empty
The blessing and the curse
Man On The Fringe 
Apr 26, 2020 @ 21:05:43
Larry
I wish I could hear you sing that song
Ruth
Apr 27, 2020 @ 08:41:44
Hi Ruth… thanks for that suggestion. I’m working on a way to do just that, but it’s a struggle to get a video recording with high quality audio. I can do just the audio in a format that works, but I’d like the visual to be there too. Thanks for giving me the push to look into this further. I always appreciate your comments!
Apr 27, 2020 @ 10:27:58
As always Larry…..your lyrical prowess is amazing. Here’s a suggestion or two:
In 1st verse:
Little ones chase that coin
the one rolling down the street
towards the gutter or the drain
your two hands reach to grab and save
both mamas pull the chain
How about dropping the word “your” in line 4? Does it flow better with one less word? Of course I don’t know the music so I’ll leave it to you to decide.
In verse 2:
Last month I sipped sweet coffee from your cup
stopped in narrow grocery aisles and chatted
you pass me by at distance now
wild-eyed like something rabid
can we resurrect the sacred cow
How about adding an “a” in line 3 between “at” and “distance” for “at a distance”–>seems to flow smoother……but what the heck do I know… 🙂
In the 3rd verse:
Stash your voice inside your house
Strike x’s through your plans
Bake bread to soothe your troubled soul
Muse about the coulds and shoulda-haves
Search blind and madly fill the holes
How about a slight revision of the 4th line to “Muse about the coulds and should-have-beens”–>the “beens” has a bit more rhyme with plans maybe…..of course….what do I know….right…. 🙂
In 4th verse:
Alone now but are you lonely
put the Tanqueray away
this fog confines but stars abound in space
bright neon light will shine again
we’ll leave our separate places
In line 3 : “this fog confines but stars abound in space”–>how about dropping “in space”–>seems to flow better……but what the heck do I know 🙂 Oh…..nice Tanqueray plug…..I seem to recall sipping on a few of those in a previous life… 🙂
In the chorus:
Flip the hands, see the change
litter scattered in the desert whirling
shrink from shadows watch the afterbirths
there’s beauty and there’s hurting
Fill me up don’t leave me empty
The blessing and the curse
How about switching the word “whirling” with the word “sands” in the 2nd line for “litter scattered in the desert sands”……damn…..I’m on a critique roll here…:-)
OK…..that’s it…….anyways…….just some “flow” thoughts and recommendations. Not knowing the music makes it a challenge but you’ll figure it out. BTW…..keep the royalties coming… 🙂
Peace,
Jim
Apr 28, 2020 @ 10:02:18
Royalty cheque (check!) in the mail Sir! Thanks for reviewing and critiquing and suggesting James. I’m going to make a rough recording and send it your way for review and thoughts on pacing and possible lyric changes. I’m pretty pleased with what I have in the verse melody but I’m struggling with the chorus which is where the “money” typically is, musically… ie. the hook. Maybe you’ll have a brilliant idea on chorus melody that will take it a notch higher. Meanwhile, thanks again and be sure to put on your PPE when you walk out the door! 🙂
Jun 07, 2020 @ 05:03:27