Acts, Natural and Unnatural

 

Over the years I seem to have given up most everything that once took up my time as well as my energy. I don't write much. Not sure if that's because I don't play much or record much or, maybe, because it's all been written.

I gave up facebook, but to be honest, facebook gave me up first. Same with romance.

My big discovery is that free time is amplified and augmented by the disappearance of drama. Oh, I've got climate change and the pandemic and supply chain issues to face, but that's chicken feed compared to the rigors of a social life.

Meanwhile, I'm reading books that have piled up on the bedside table for years. Oh, and the memories- lord, I have memories.

Lessons Learned

Do you need a license to be a philosopher? I never had to pass any kind of exam to call myself a musician.  Oh, I joined a union once. It disappeared after a few years. I signed up for various organizations that never wanted anything to do with me, other than annual dues. I only told folks that I was a musician to keep from claiming that I was a "writer" or a "poet." That really sounds pretentious.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure that I'm a philosopher. That sounds so much better than "layabout" or "retired" or "former musician."

Now, you may want to be judicious about taking advice from an unlicensed philosopher. I understand. Nevertheless, here's what I offer:

Love first. Ask questions later.

 

Spend It All On You

 

Life is easiest for me when I'm out of fashion. I'm almost always out of fashion. Oh, I try. I just don't try very hard.

I remember a photo session in New York. I was the only guy in the band without a Nehru jacket. The others talked me into borrowing one from a girl who had come to the shoot. To this day I regret having caved.

By the time that the photo ran in Billboard, I had quit the group. They painted me out of the shot.

You Talkin' To Me?

If you're like me, you spend most of your waking hours waiting for the next chapter. 

"As soon as I grow up."

"As soon as I get married."

"As soon as I'm divorced."

"When I finish this record."

"Once this haircut grows out."

You know, the important stuff. Most of the rest of my time I spend looking back. Usually with regret. At least I never grew up. I played rock'n'roll.

One day, out of the blue, you realize that you're on the last chapter. 

When I finally made it to the last bit of Look Homeward, Angel, I slowed down. I remember only reading a page or two and putting it down. Finally I would only read one or two paragraphs before going to bed, knowing that there was an ending that Thomas Wolfe had put there that I couldn't get around.

The news comes on and I'm encouraged by the fact that the world leaders are older than I am. Of course it's obvious that they've been on the last chapter for some time.

At some point you're just hoping for a happy ending.

 

Hope Above All

 

Always thought it took a long time to become an old man. Nope.

The masses will live on crumbs and cheer on the elite as long as hope remains in the mix. Once greed takes the crumbs off the table, say "hello" to Mr. Revolution. Are we there? How would I know?

These are the darkest days that I can remember. The assassinations of the Kennedys and Dr. King are the only memories that hold a blown-out candle to the events on the evening news. Still, hope remains the star in my show. 

On my little scorecard, love still dukes it out with the dark side. I'm gonna have to love a little harder.

Give us peace on earth and end this dreadful, dreadful war.

Is This The End?

As I sadly watch a minority navigate history, I have to ask myself if, maybe, this is the end. For humanity anyway. The concept of anti-science intrigues me. I mean I'm against gravity, what it does to my jowls and pecs daily. Ignoring it, denying it, doesn't vanquish it. 

For so long I fretted and worried about the end of rock'n'roll. When the end came, it came with a whimper. Nothing lasts forever.

Now, I cut the cord to cable so that I don't sit and watch California burn and Europe wash away during most of my waking hours while idiots in suits and ties strut around D.C. 

For now, I'm alive and I'm also witness to the majesty of love and nature every day. With memories behind me I watch miracles and magic unfold and remind myself of just how lucky I have been to have lived and loved in this world.

 

Razorblades and Rainbows

 

We've muddled through for this long, we might as well muddle through to the end. If life is the grand prize, and if love is life's manifestation, I'm a winner. I suspect you're a winner, too. Being lucky is knowing you're lucky.

Hold my beer.