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Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
Lonely rivers going to the sea give themselves to many
brooks in passing.
SILVER BELLS
Ann who lives just a few zip codes away from
me writes:
"Started putting up the
lights today. By the time I'm finished, my yard will be diverting planes from LAX."
Had my first electronic holiday card of the
year from Ellen & Molly and Coral from down under or up over, depending on where YOU
live, sent a note to her friends that said:
"Time to put up the tree
and do the Christmas bit. I hope one of these presents is for me. To all of you, at the
end of a long and difficult (though full of life-changing surprises) year, may I wish you
peace and prosperity BUT, most importantly LOVE for Christmas and always."
I think her thoughts are echoed by many of us
this year, and I'm certainly glad to be on Coral's list of friends.
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, here and everywhere. Edward even ordered the
wreathes for the gates and the house today. Have I gone shopping yet? No. Unlike Jay,
whose shopping was completed before Thanksgiving, I do wait till the last minute and this
year, between signing books for Dwight at Stanyan, I'm doing some Christmas shopping on
line.
AGE IS BETTER
Not a question, just an
observation. You have given many of us the emotional connection we often long for but have
difficulty ascertaining in ourselves. I have long been a voracious consumer of McKuen
"input and output" and appreciate the self-deprecating approach you take (at
least in verse) to life and one's own individual view of it. Of late as 40 has approached
with extra pounds embracing my hips, small lines eager for my eyes claimed space, I find
friends asking if I am bothered. Once "a beauty" I find there remarks humorous
and pitiful. Your view reaffirms what I have always believed. I am who I am, this body
just holds some of it together. Great outlook! C. Taylor
Dear CT, What do you mean "once a beauty?" Older women are so interesting that
I've long considered writing a book entitled "In Praise of Older Women." For an
idea of what the poetry might be like see "Lillian at Fifty" in "Suspension
Bridge" or "Age Is Better," in the New Poetry section of this site. At
forty-plus, though, you hardly qualify as an "older woman."
The United States is one of the few countries in the world that doesn't 'celebrate' age.
As I said in the song "Forty Without Fear," 'It gets better every year.' That
was 26 years ago and I'm still here. Hey, I wouldn't mind stopping time somewhere in my
forties and going back from a 35 waist to a 32, but to do so I'd have to lose the last
couple of decades and all I've learned from them. No thanks. So my love handles are
turning into trunk straps, that's just me and who I am. I've avoided mirrors all my life
(except for those on the inside) and that's served me pretty well. I've no intention of
indulging in any self-scrutiny that I'm powerless to change.
All of us are too hard on ourselves. If I can give anyone the courage to live life as it
is instead of how it could be or might have been, it's a big thrill.
Your letter thrilled me. Love, Rod
WHEN I WAS 21, IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR
I have loved you since
my teenage years. (I am only 21 now) I guess my mother owned a book of yours and I got
hooked. You reach to me on a level that somehow, no one else can. When I get depressed I
read you. Somehow, even though some of the poems may be more depressing than what I am
going through, I feel cleansed.
It is hard to find your books. I recently moved to Toronto (I am originally from the USA,
but am here for school) and they have bookstores who carry your books, and finally I am
building a collection. This comes at no better of a time then when I am experiencing such
a shock and I can veg. on your writing.
I have wanted to write your before about my adoration but didn't because felt it was too
cliché. I hope you can understand what I mean. Never stop writing. You transcend time and
generations with your word. You are universal, honest, and direct. Perhaps this is your
secret to success with me. Guess I am just a girl needing to vent. Kelsey Biggs,
Baltimore, Md. via Toronto, Canada)
Dear Kelsey, Thanks. I'm happy that my poetry has been able to 'reach' you. That's what
all of us are here for, to try and encourage and support each other. If something helps
you, it helps me just as much. Knowing about your experiences gives me the courage I need
to continue writing.
It is pretty tough to find many of my books, which is why Dwight restarted Stanyan By
Mail. They have nearly all of my books, LP's & CD's in stock. So, if there is
something you want in particular it's probably in the online catalog and if not you can
write Stanyan at Box 2783, Hollywood, CA 90028
Thanks again for a nice and encouraging letter. Affectionately, Rod
SONGS THAT WON THE WAR
I've only just realized
how many albums you have produced that I like and want to own. Because of the wealth of
your writing, composing and performing many people aren't aware of the fine records you
have produced. My current favorites are the 10 CD's you put out of "Songs That Won
The War." To me these collections are as fine as the two books Tom Brokaw did about
the World War Two Generation. They ought to be required listening; historically and just
for the joy, nostalgia and fun they provide.
I never knew so many wonderful songs and performers came out of WWII. Now I'm trying to
seek out other material in the same vein. These sets were given to me for my birthday
earlier this year and have been loaded on my CD changer ever since. The songs and
performances are nothing short of wonderful and the notes in each CD are informative and
complete. I couldn't believe the low price each set. It allowed me to complete my
Christmas shopping by ordering copies from Dwight as presents for all my friends. He said
you're preparing two more boxed sets of "STWTW." When can we expect to hear
them?
Thanks for these joyful sets. Keep up the good work, Sincerely
Gwen Stewart
Dear Gwen, Your letter couldn't have pleased me more. Of all the recordings I've produced
(including the San Sebastian Strings albums) Songs That Won The War is closest to my
heart. It took years to put the project together and with little or no fanfare (except
word of mouth), nearly 500,000 have been sold and both five disc sets have been picked up
by all the major record clubs.
Volumes three and four should be out by the end of 2000. I think everyone connected with
the project has been amazed by the 'staying power' of the first two sets. We seem to sell
more copies every month.
Thanks, Gwen, for calling attention to these discs. As soon as they're ready I'll send you
copies of the new releases. All the best, Rod
LYRICS TO "THE SEA"
I have been looking for
days to find the lyrics to one of your songs called The Sea. Could you please send me a
copy of the words to that song? It would be most appreciated. Thank you. Peggy
Dear Peggy, here are the words to "The Ever Constant Sea," the title song from
"The Sea," but I'm afraid they loose something without the beautiful music Anita
Kerr created to go with them. In fact it's really the other way around, Anita wrote her
melody first and I added the lyrics afterward; as opposed to the title song of "The
Earth," where the words came first.
THE EVER CONSTANT SEA
Once upon a time loving set me free
Free as any bird who ever heard
The wind blow through the trees.
After love had gone, I had merely me
And my only friend, The Ever Constant Sea
We've been through it all,
My old friend and me
Summertime and fall have shown us
All the world there is to see,
So if I love again, if love is good to me
I'll share it with my friend, The Ever Constant Sea.
Yes, if I love again, should love come to me
I'll share it with my friend, The Ever Constant Sea.
Thanks for asking, Peggy, all my best to you, Rod
THE EMPTY PAGE
Dear Rod, The pages of
your books are worn and darkened, your records are so scratched that they barely play, the
cassettes fade in and out from over use, and now the CDs keep me company as I journey to
and from my office each day.
Like many of your friends from years gone by (a fan, yes, but somehow as a poet) I think
you must know that those of us who love your poetry must also love you as our friend),
your words have been a refuge a safe haven and a reason to smile for almost 30 years.
That reference ages us both, of course, but finding your Web site was like locating a dear
friend I haven't seen in a while. I look forward to my daily visits now, reading your new
words and sharing them with my husband, friends and children. Thank you for the constant
reminder of the joy we have all been given by our precious God.
I have, I believe, all your books, but I would very much like to have one signed. I will
place an order with Stanyan for "Seasons in the Sun," and will request, as you
have said we may do, that they make it available for you to sign.
Also, I have a little family Web site that has a linked poetry page…I wondered if you
would allow me to link to your Web site! My URL is written below, please check it out to
be sure it meets your standards. I would be totally honored if you would allow me to link
to your site.
God bless you, Rod, I look forward to your new poems, but I will continue to find comfort
in those you have given us through the years. Your words in Alone, "To Begin
With… " were for so long taken as my own…
"I do not know how death will come to me, though once I thought I did. How I will
greet it will depend on how hard or easy it comes in. I am very sure that any pain that
might accompany my going could not be as bad or worse than some I've known within my own
life. I am resolved that, if I can, I will view the end as the writer does the blank page
just in front of him, a beginning." Thank you for "you" and the blank page.
Bari DuBois
Dear Bari, Thanks very much for your thoughtful words. I checked out your website and
liked it. It's very well put together. By all means add a link to A Safe Place To Land,
I'd be honored.
I'm glad you like "Alone." I've recently reread it and it seems to hold up
pretty well. Today and in the coming months I'll be including some of the "Winter
Poems" from Alone. Good luck with your site and thanks for calling my attention to
it. All the very best, Rod
LONDON 72: A LETTER FROM AN OLD FRIEND
Rod: I have just
uncovered a 1972 calendar/datebook for 1972, which you kindly inscribed for me. 27 years
have passed and I wondered whether you still produce them - the sadness was that none of
the poems were 'for' me!
Having found the website I hope to be kept up to date with news. What chance of seeing you
again here in London ?
'I'll know you by the back of your head and the front of your smile'
Every happiness, Anna (Menzies from the erstwhile Olympic Sound Studios)
Dear Anna, What a delightful surprise. You wrote me a few Christmas's back with a new
address, which I put aside and then (of course) mislaid. So, I'm glad to have your online
handle.
(NOTE: I first met Anna Menzies when she did the booking for Olympic Studios in London.
During the 60's & 70's it was the studio in which to record large orchestras. It
attracted the world's great Symphony Orchestras & conductors and every major writer of
film music used it as a scoring stage. Arthur Greenslade conducted my scores for"
Joanna" and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" at Olympic and later I used the
studio to score "Emily," with Skip Redwine as conductor. A lot of my classical
work was first recorded there as well. Olympic's sound stage and acoustics (it was a great
wooden barn of a place) were suitable for any size band and it attracted all the major pop
artists as well.)
Sorry for interrupting my answer to your letter for some clarification, Anna, but I wanted
everyone to know how important you were to me and my music when I was recording a lot in
England. I remember you were able to book me sometimes for months at a time. I always got
a lift from seeing your smiling face every morning and after three sessions in a row the
wave you gave me as I came out of the studio after nine hours of hard but intoxicating
work was much appreciated.
Speaking of intoxication, I remember a particularly funny month when I occupied the
studios all day while The Rolling Stones spent all night, every night working on an album.
Every morning I'd come in for my sessions to find the air sweet and thick with the sent of
phony apple blossoms or magnolias. Some roadie obviously was in charge of the scent
spray-cans and had gone about trying to disguise whatever everyone had been smoking the
night before. Alas the scents mixed and so the first hour or so of recording was like
performing in a swamp. Edward, Arthur and I used to refer to that month as "The Gas
Mask Days."
The Calendar/Datebooks are no longer published, but may become part of the forthcoming
Stanyan House website. It's interesting that you have the 1972 Calendar, because if I'm
not mistaken that year also works day by day for 2000. I think Rita came up with that
conclusion. If I'm mistaken, she'll let me know. But you might check it out.
I hope to be back in Great Britain for a tour next year, but there seems to be a shortage
of British promoters at the moment. Much love to you, Anna, and all the best for a
beautiful holiday season. This time we'll keep in touch and I owe you a poem. Rod. PS:
Edward sends love too.
FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO LAND
Dear Rod (or his
reader/responder, or the wind) It must have been longer than I thought since I searched
for a website of you...I know this now b/c I see there are archives dating back at least a
year.. I didn't realize it had been that long, but days go by relatively quickly here
lately (although painfully slow when considered individually).
I discovered your poetry when I was a junior in high school (just about 4 1/2 years ago) I
remember my senior-year English teacher and I had quite a few "discussions"
about you in fact--I in favor of your work and him not so much so.. but it gave us
something to talk about.. and that's most of what I've found matters in life...talking,
really talking, and getting to know each person that for some reason is lead into my life,
gaining and learning all I can from them before
they or I choose to leave.
The first poem that drew me in was the one with the line something similar to "I'd
have been the shadow of your dog if it would have kept me by your side".
After understanding there was a little bit of you in me, I read all I could find. I am
ashamed to say vie never heard your music, maybe even more so that I'm telling you so when
I should be pretending to have drunk in every bit of your thoughts that you courageously
exposed to the harsh critiquing eyes and ears of mankind. well, I absorbed every bit
available to me anyway, and I wanted to let you know that I find your simplicity brilliant
and your way of seeing things quite alluring and, I dont know, something just keeps me
reading.
So thanks for your site, its a little reminder to me of how much more of life must be out
there for me, has been out there all along in fact, just waiting to be discovered, so if
its okay by you (well...even if it isnt) i'll just keep on keeping on in light of that.
Here's to happiness, Take care, Laurel
Dear Laurel, Thanks for the nice letter and for taking "my part" with your
English professor. I got a lot of flack from critics and teachers the minute I became
successful. Quite a backlash, as if some of them were saying "How dare somebody make
a living writing poetry and songs. Poets are supposed to starve and finally go mad."
One of my great mistakes was including the lyrics to some of my songs in certain books.
Song lyrics really aren't poetry apart from the song. They are meant to be in service to
the melody as the music serves the words. It's a partnership.
Thanks for being honest about not knowing my songs. Hey, it's taken me a lifetime to do
this body of work and there aren't many, including me, who can absorb it alI in a few
hours. Now have to make sure you hear my songs, particularly one called "If You Go
Away," since the lyric you quoted is from it. Without the melody written by the
immortal Jacques Brel, it would be nothing. Send me an address and I'll drop you a CD or
so. Meanwhile, for a quick fix you might check The Stanyan By Mail site where you can
download a recording of "The Single Man" gratis. It's as good a marriage of
words and music as I've ever made. I've used it twice. I originally wrote the music as the
background to "A Cat Named Sloopy."
Welcome to A Safe Place To Land, Laurel, I hope you come back often. Warmest Regards, Rod
Tomorrow Webmaster Ken comes back with his weekly "This One Does It For Me"
feature. Join me in checking it out. Sleep warm.
- RM 12/6/99 Previously unpublished |
