ASK ROD |
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AS DAYS GO BY I visited the Internet the other day with the slim hope of
finding a
reference to you, since I had tried unsuccessfully before. I was delighted to find
mckuen.com. Your poetry speaks to me in profound ways. I first encountered your poems in
1994, when I was 22. I found a collection entitled "Alone" - I was captivated. I
have the same feelings toward aloneness, loneliness, "the young heart beating in the
dark room" and sunlight. Those writings have assisted me during impossible times.
Your "Outstretched Hand" has provided a bridge through the darkness.
I own almost every book of your poems, and many records. My favorite poem is "Kearny
Street". My second favorite is "Some thoughts for Benson Green on his
twenty-seventh birthday". I turn 27 in December. My question is: What thoughts would
you have, what advice, for me, as I approach 27? Thank you, and please keep writing. Eric
L. Coker
Dear Eric, I turned 27 a long time ago but I remember thinking I was running out of time
for everything. A career, finding someone I could love and settle down with, trying to
make enough money at odd jobs to support my writing and most of all that I would never
have time enough to learn all I wanted to know about, seemingly everything. Guess what?
While a little impatience is a good thing, don’t let it be the driving force in your
life. Relax a bit, enjoy yourself more.
Your twenties are terrific, but your thirties will be much better in every way. When you
reach your forties you’ll discover that anything you experienced before can’t
compare with the work, fun and pure living these years bring. Fifty is sobering,
you’ll have a momentary twinge but you’ll get over it. You might even discover
what it is in life you really want to do. I didn’t and I still don’t know. But
it hasn’t stopped me from plodding forward, always open to new ideas and experiences.
Here I am in the middle of my sixties and I’m positive my best work is in front and
not behind me. I have more energy than ever and yes; I am running out of time. Aren’t
we all. You too, Eric --- even at twenty-seven.
The point is you will never have enough time. So what. If I had one piece of advice for
anyone your age it would be, STOP AND THINK. Before you do, say, commit to anything. I
played most of my life by the seat of my pants and believe me that is no way to navigate
something as important as life. Think about the possible ramifications of everything you
do. It will keep you honest with yourself. You’ll never be totally satisfied with
anything. Sorry. That’s just the way it is. But each mistake you make will make the
good experiences better. There will be lots of those.
OK, Eric, Eyes wide open, ears alert, march straight into twenty-seven. You’re in for
the time of your life, you lucky bastard. Love, Rod
PS: You wanna hear something strange? (and this is apropos of nothing). When you get to be
sixty-five, 27 & 28 year olds of both sexes seem to think you’re terrific. I
haven’t worked that one out yet, but I assure you, I’m not complaining. You
won’t either when it happens to you.
BARNSTORMING
Rod, If you want a barn, we can get you one...it also
has a rainbow painted on it. It's a cool barn and you could store an amazing amount of
items in it. Dana & Lee
Dear Dana & Lee, Thanks. Every week or so someone tells me about a barn that’s
available. Trouble is I want to build one in my own back yard. What are the logistics of
moving your Rainbow Barn? Rod
TEE FOR TWO
Hey. Rod. I collect T-shirts. A friend of mine
remembers seeing a Family Circle article from the late 70's about your T-shirt collecting
hobby. Is she right? Do you still? If so, what's your favorite? Barb (The T Shirt Lady)
Dear Barb, I still collect T-Shirts in a big way. Have them from all over the world. Some
of my favorites include DON’T ROCK THE ROCKETTES! (from the time when those
performers staged a successful demonstration against Radio City Music Hall for better
compensation; a Tee John Lennon wore that says GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, Frank Sinatra’s
sweatshirt from THE OLD BLUE EYES IS BACK sessions. Tee’s from various peace rallies
around the world including Tieniman Square and Bosnia and a couple I was involved in
during the 60’s. My original olive drab Army issue T. from Basic Training at Ft. Ord
(circa 1953.) Anyone sending me a T is usually rewarded with a CD or a book. Have some
bizarre ones too, like O. J. MAY BE GUILTY, BUT SO WHAT (!), SAVE THE RAIN FORREST, PISS
ON A PROTESTOR and many that can’t be reprinted on this airstrip. Regards, Rod PS: I
wear an extra large because they shrink & I don’t.
KOREAN TOUR
Dear Mr Rod, I'm very happy I can write this mail to
you. You always give me comfort of spirit through your voice and lyricism. I'm a Korean
and I have many albums of yours. There are so many people in my country who like you. So
you have a lot of recordings released here, including just recently your Greatest Hits
album.
I wish you would come to Korea for concerts, and I hope it will be soon. I will marry at
January 17, '99. I am ordering a book and an album. Again, my best wish is to see you in
concert in Korea. Yours, Sang-Wook Yoon
Dear Rod McKuen, I have been told you may be coming to The Far East soon for some
concerts that will include Korea. We are looking forward to it. You have many fan clubs
here. My favorite album of yours is La Mer / The Sea. Sincerely, Kim Ho
Dear Sang-Wook & Kim, There has been some talk by the company that releases my
recordings in Korea and Taiwan of doing a Far Eastern tour. I hope it happens. The people
in Korea have always been very supportive of my work and it would be a way of saying Thank
You and also give me a chance to visit your beautiful country again. Kindest Regards, Rod
BELCHER LANDING & BOSTON
Dear Rod, I heard a recording by you of a poem on a
radio station I was listening to. In this poem you spoke of Don, your boyhood friend. At
the end you said something to the effect of "I often wonder what happened to Don, and
what happened to myself". Sorry for the incorrect quote. The verse stayed with me all
these years. I believe it was 1972, the only time I ever heard it.
Seasons in the Sun was terrific, not just that individual work, but the book of verses
you did with that title. Also enjoyed when you narrated "Say Goodbye". Would you
please either print "Don" for me or let me know where I can find the book it is
in? Always been a fan of yours Bill Melville.
Dear Bill, The track you mentioned is called "Belcher Landing" and it’s
from a four record set I did with Anita Kerr entitled "The Seasons". Belcher
Landing appears on "Summer". I reprinted it in the Flight Plan of August
7th of this year and it can be downloaded from the archives of this site. Thanks for
remembering the documentary "Say Goodbye". It was produced by David Wolper &
nominated for a documentary Oscar. Regards to you & Janet. Rod
Dear Rod: I’ve been trying to get hold of and read all of your books. I have
'raided" the library shelves and also was able to buy some of your books at a
wonderful local store filled with "precious books". I want to find out if the
book you were writing in 1974, "The Word Went Out From Boston" (as mentioned in
the author's note in "Moment To Moment") was ever published -- or have I not
done my homework? Also, is there any fixed date yet for the release of "A Safe Place
To Land"? I think it would be the "ultimate" if we were able to see you in
Concert. God Bless you. Nan Peden
Dear Nan, "The Word Went Out From Boston" was never completed; though I’ve
saved the original notes from it. Earlier this month on November 9th I used the Flight
Plan to print two selections originally intended for that book but published in another.
"Flashback Boston" & "North St. Remembered" can both be found in
& downloaded from the archives 11/9/98. As to concerts, don’t expect any in the
U.S. for awhile since there is still no promoter involved in booking them. "A Safe
Place To Land" is scheduled for publication in the fall of 1999. All the Best, Rod
History is still in there punching and occasionally in these parts being punched out.
Here’s a little of it, all the same.
Light Up The Sky
Tonight and tomorrow night watch for The Leonid Meteors to
produce a shower of light that according to some scientists and astronomers may be one of
the most brilliant of the century. The Leonoids, so named because they seem to emanate
from the constellation Leo, make an annual appearance, but every 33 years they dip close
to the earth and reach their peak. This is it folks, till 2032. Depending on what part of
the world you live in there may be one per minute or hundreds per hour. One of the best
places to view them is Southeast Asia. There will be live Internet feeds from that part of
the world.
In 1833 astronomy writer Agnes Clerke wrote that as many as 240,000 meteors were seen in
the nine hours they fell over the eastern United States. Other witnesses at the time
reported huge fireballs that left shadows and smoke trails miles long. This year there is
some worry that the Leonid shower might pock mark or even disable some of the many
satellites circling the globe.
On this date in 1626 St. Peter’s church in Rome was dedicated. In 1820
Longfellow’s first poem is published. Today in 1852 The Duke of Wellington had a
grand funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Elton John was conspicuously absent. In 1869
The Suez Canal is formally opened and in 1913 the first ship sailed through the Panama
Canal (Alex Drey had a route canal in 1881.)
In 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur & Orville finally get it up and the
air age begins. Sylvia Beach opens the doors of Shakespeare & Company, the first
combined English language lending library and bookshop in Paris, in 1919. In 1938 Kay
Kayser starts making swing. De Beers of South Africa manufactured the first synthetic
diamond in 1959.
Hope all your diamonds are real and your swing through this
autumn is warm.
- RM 11/16/98 |
