Rod McKuen - Flight Plan


Wednesday 15th October, 2008 New concerts announced! Click HERE for details.		A Thought for Today To widen your life without deepening it is to weaken it. This One Does It For Me! Ken, No question, I only wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed reading this site now that I've found it. It took me back to the heady days of the 70's when Rod visited here and I was fortunate to see him at the Durban City Hall. What a show! Any chance of him appearing here again? Keep up the good work. Colleen Davis Durban, South Africa First up it WAS a terrific evening, wasn't it, Colleen? I attended the same show in Durban so if we ever get to meet we'll have a lot in common. And thanks for the kind words about the site. As for further appearances in South Africa, or anywhere else for that matter, I'll give you the standard response. If a promoter comes up with a suitable offer Rod will appear anywhere, anytime. It's as simple as that. So if you know of any friendly promoters ask them to drop me a line. Meanwhile if you're feeling flush and fancy a trip to the USA you could always catch Rod's series of shows in the desert next month. Details are elsewhere on this page and tickets are selling fast. You didn't ask for any particular song or poem so I've selected something from the 70's recording of Rod's South African tour. Hope it brings back some more happy memories for you. Click on the Stanyan House logo to buy Rod McKuen books, CD's and lots more Click on the heart logo to subscribe to the Rod McKuen mailing list Catch Rod McKuen live! Click on the links below for details of concerts and appearances. ROD McKUEN CONCERTS ROD McKUEN APPEARANCES



		Jere Burns o Richard Carpenter o Ina Claire o Jane Darwell o Sarah Ferguson o Michael Foucault o John Kenneth Galbraith o Peter Haskell o Lee Iacocca o Tito Jackson o Emeril Lagasse o Linda Lavin o Mervyn LeRoy o Penny Marshall o Barry McGuire o Kenny Miller o Kyletta Miller o Friedrich Nietzsche o Jim Palmer o Jean Peters o Mario Puzo o Jose Quintero o Arthur Schlesinger o Robert "PapaSco" Scofield o C.P. Snow o John Sullivan o Roscoe Tanner o Robert Trout o Virgil o P.G. Wodehouse

		Don’t compete. You’re lesser than no man and none are better. All creatures, beings, people are unalike. How can you compete, win or lose a race, with someone other than yourself? Being you is hard enough, but someone other? Never. Sorrow is proof of life. Cats, I reckon, have it all. Admiration and an endless sleep and company only when they want it.

IF I COULD FLY		If I could fly you know I would beyond the mountains and the seashore I’d soar as high as any bird and not come down until the sunset I’d soar the world, I’d sail the sea if I could fly I’d be a different me. If I were stronger than I am perhaps I’d fly a little higher so that I’d never feel again I lived in darkness or in shadow I’d tell the world a soft goodbye and then I’d turn toward the sky if I could fly, if only I could fly. There are some things life doesn’t teach and so I try as best I know how to grasp the apple beyond reach and by so doing I can show how the things I do, I do for you if I could fly I’d do that too. If I could fly you know I would but men are nothing more than men so the best that I can do is try and if they knock me down again oh on broken wings and shattered dreams I still can try to reach the sky I may not fly but it doesn’t hurt to try. I may not fly but it doesn’t hurt to try. If I could fly if I could fly you know I would if I could fly you know I would you know I would if I could fly if I could fly you know I would. - from "The Concert Collection - South Africa"

AND FINALLY

More next week. Meantime if you have a favorite McKuen song, poem or story you'd like to share, or a question you need answered, drop me a line (you'll find the address on our Contact Page) and I'll do the rest.

-Ken, Johannesburg, South Africa, October 15

Webmaster: Ken Blackie • Birthday Research by Wade Alexander • Poems from the collection of Jay Hagan •
Sound & Fury Dr. Eric Yeager • Editor at Large: Bruce Bellingham • Emeritus: Melinda Smith

Want to comment on today's Flight Plan?

See our Contact Page for how to contact Rod or Ken or post a message at the NEW Rod McKuen Message Board

home page today's flight plan flight plan archives search this site site map