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Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
Winter is a word we choose to remember only vaguely till it
blows in all its brilliance.
Hard to believe we’re two days away from
Christmas and I still haven’t been out shopping. Well, that’s not quite true, I
spent yesterday afternoon at my favorite Costco in Burbank. Came home with a case of cat
food & one of Mountain Dew, some DVD’s, coffee beans, mouthwash, paper towels,
Liquid Plumber, CD’s, Cheer, Contac and a batch of books. Lot’s of life’s
necessities, but no gifts.
Lots of impulse items I managed to resist like the stick up lights and new versions of
“The Clapper” & “Salad Shooter.” No thanks. I still have enough
energy to cross the room & hit the light switch & I can slice and dice in the
kitchen with the best of them.
In the checkout line a guy said to me, “ Didn’t you used to be Rod McKuen?”
I answered, “I did.” Why lie.
NEW SONGS FROM OLD SONGS
Dear Mr. McKuen: My name
is Jonathan Alexander. I am a musician of 5 years. I am 18 years old and in love with
life. I have been writing songs for some time now, but one thing always seems to trouble
me. Words. I write folk music with a guitar. My music is my lifeblood and soul. Anyway,
I'll get right down to it. My mother gave me two books of yours that used to be hers. They
were Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows and Listen to the Warm...both of which I absolutely
fell in love with the minute I opened them up. Some of the poems that struck me the most,
I decided to set to music.
You being a musician yourself, know the fuel that music can provide to words. For this
Christmas, I decided to release a CD of some of these songs and your poetry. They are in
order: "The Summertime of Days," "Ellen's Eyes," "The Lonely
Things," and "Thank you."
Now to the core of the matter. I am not selling these CD’s or making any profit
whatsoever and am totally independent. I thought that I'd let you know that I did this. I
gave you full credit for the words and included you in the thank you section. I can only
hope that this finds you in good spirits and not too angered. Your poetry speaks to me. To
tell you the truth, once I set the poetry to music, it was perhaps as if I understood the
pieces that much more.
I would love to send you a copy, but noticed on your web page that you don't look over
manuscripts or anything of the sort. I can understand because of your busy schedule and
whatnot. But I present this to you as a gift of my appreciation. Perhaps if you'd like, I
can turn any profit I do make...(which is unlikely) to you or your company.
Please take the time to think about this. I hope that you are not too angered. Thank you
for your time. Jonathan Alexander
Dear Jonathon, Thanks for writing me, one of the things I like best about your letter is
hearing an 18 year old say he's "in love with life." Me too, Jonathon, and I
have a few years on you. I hope you'll strive to keep that feeling. I can't think of
better advice to give anyone.
I'm glad you liked my lyrics enough to write music to some of them. Unfortunately there's
a slight problem; all four lyrics were songs long before they were published in book form
and so they already have music. That's the reason they rhyme and are in the section of my
books called "songs." The titles "Twenty-three Songs" in "Listen
to the Warm" and "Eight Songs" in "Stanyan Street & Other
Sorrows" aren’t arbitrary or meant to be metaphoric.
There are several recordings on "The Lonely Things," "The Summertime of
Days" and "Thank You"; and somewhere on an early album I have a version of
"Ellen's Eyes". I'd still love to hear your CD and if I like the melodies,
perhaps I'll write new words to them. Stranger things than that have happened in my career
as a songwriter.
Last year a young man wrote a melody and did a choral arrangement of a poem of mine
entitled "Orly Field" and I liked it so much I wrote an additional verse to it
and I'll be recording it in the coming year for my next album. I hope this will show you
I'm not kidding when I ask you to send me a copy of your CD. There is every chance in the
world that aside from the curiosity of hearing another musical interpretation of my words,
I’ll like the music enough to write new lyrics.
Enduring collaborations between writers have come from far less. And, I'd like very much
to hear what your voice sounds like.
You can send the CD to me at Box G, Beverly Hills, CA 90213. I'll be looking for it.
Meanwhile there's no need to write new music to "Seasons in the Sun” :) All the
best, Rod
SEA, EARTH & SKY TRILOGY
I have The Sea on CD,
and would really love to have the Sky and Earth. Will they ever be put on CD? I grew up
with you in the late 60's and your early works with Anita Kerr and San Sebastian Strings
were the best.
Thanks for making Love and Romance what it really is. Carol Smith
Dear Carol, Working with Anita Kerr and having her for a friend will always be one of the
high points of my life, musically and otherwise. For an answer to your query about 'The
Trilogy,' see "The Frequently Asked Questions" at Home Base. Warmest Regards,
Rod
HELLO FROM THE PAST
Dear Rod, Nearly fifty
years have past since we were classmates at Oakland Tech and were in Sally Reinharts drama
class. The class of 1951 will hold a 50th reunion at the Hotel Claremont during the spring
of 2001 and hope you will join us.
We held a 45th reunion in Pleasanton several years ago. I have an extra photograph of the
Techites in attendance and will send you a copy to your Beverly Hills address. We hope to
hear from you soon. Best regards, John Hunt
Dear Jack, As they say on The Net 'sounds like a plan.' I'll make it if I'm able,
especially since I was unable to be in Oakland for the 25th reunion. That was my favorite
class and I still remember having a wild crush on Sally, despite the fact that she
believed nothing would ever come of me.
Please keep me posted and don't forget to send me the photograph of the 45th reunion
(identifying the participants, please.) I had a note from Sandy earlier in the year. I
answered it but never heard back. Looking forward to seeing you again. Warmest Regards,
Rod
REUNION, 2
It sure is good to be
back with you! Reading your poetry, listening to your voice. I have missed you, old
friend. Do you ever tour in the US anymore? If so, please post a schedule. Thank you very
much! Judith
Dear Judith, Thanks. By writing me your E-mail address has gone on my mailing list, so as
soon as concerts are scheduled you'll be among the first to know. Welcome Back, Rod
ONCE IN A LIFETIME MOON
Dear Rod, My husband
sent this to me from his work. They build satellites there so they're usually informed of
neat events like this: Enjoy! Rita
Subject: Watch for it Wednesday Night:
The Special 99 Winter
Solstice Moon An astronomical special event not to be missed. By now all of you have
probably got this, but here goes anyway! It would be a shame to miss it.
This year will be the first full moon to occur on the winter solstice, Dec.22, commonly
called the first day of winter. Since a full moon on the winter solstice is occurring in
conjunction with a lunar perigee (point in the moon's orbit that is closest to Earth), the
moon will appear about 14% larger than it does at apogee (the point in it's elliptical
orbit that is farthest from the Earth). Since the Earth is also several million miles
closer to the sun at this time of the year than in the summer, sunlight striking the moon
is about 7% stronger making it brighter.
Also, this will be the closest perigee of the Moon of the year since the moon's orbit is
constantly deforming. If the weather is clear and there is snow cover where you live, it
is believed that even car headlights will be superfluous.
On December 21st. 1866 the Dakota Sioux took advantage of this combination of occurrences
and staged a devastating retaliatory ambush on soldiers in the Wyoming Territory.
In laymen's terms it will be a super bright full moon, much more than the usual AND it
hasn't happened this way for 133 years! Our ancestors’ 133 years ago saw this. It
will be 100 or so years from now till our descendents will see this again.
Dear Rita, No snow here but the light was so strong tonight it lit up all of the front
yard, I've been out several times to check it out. All this and up there somewhere over
the ocean a team of our astronauts are mending The Hubbell Telescope. This Flight Plan
will be late.
Down here Jim Carey's "Man on the Moon," opened everywhere.
The moon on this night was wonderful and there were far more stars than any team could
count - each a little dimmer because of that so heavily heavenly illuminated circle.
For those who missed the last full moon of this millennium (assuming you think the new one
begins next week) in 2025 the moon will be a few million miles closer. Just think, Rita,
we'll be in our 70's (give or take a few decades for one of us.) Love to you and your old
man. Rod
HELP/ HEARTBROKEN
Mr. McKuen: What comes
to your mind when a heart is broken, trust is lost and just plain sadness lingers? I have
lost respect for someone that was very dear to me, and I'm lost. The lies got to be too
much and now the loneliness and anger has become my Father, and I'm not sure what to do?
Your writings have been important to him, and most of your poems I really enjoy, and now I
can't find it even in my heart to read any. Please help me. Joy
Dear Joy, Hearts are sturdy. It's been my experience that they heal a lot faster than you
might think. This old heart has been bruised and bandaged over and over, but it beats on
steadily. Hang in there.
If you're free of someone you've lost respect for, good riddance. Thinking of you, Rod
BOB GENTRY
Hi, Rod! I just read the
Flight Plan, which reminded me of a question: Edward mentioned a CD that Bob Gentry's
group had out and said it was quite good. I inquired around here (middle of Wisconsin,
remember) and could find no information on it. Could you provide me with the name of it
(if there is more than one, I don't know which one your brother was alluding to)? Or is it
being marketed only locally right now? Thanks! Love, Susan, with a smile
PS: Glad your household temp is normal now! :)
Dear Susan, Keep smiling you can order Bob's Moisture CD from Stanyan By Mail. I'll bet
you like it, I do. I like what he's doing with the new California edition of Moisture even
better. Love, Rod
PS: Me too!
I'M STILL HERE.
Mr. McKuen, I hope and
pray that you are still alive and well...and will read this. I have lived and loved all of
your words since I was perhaps 6? All that I do know for certain is that my mother would
play all of your albums on our house speaker system when my father was away...and she felt
less lonely.and I feel the same way today, perhaps because we too, once owned a wonderful
cat named Sloopy. She was killed by a neighbor's movers...Sloopy ran onto the moving van
and one of the brutes kicked her...my mother still cry's about her... and both my
brothers, as well as myself remember her to this day. (This was perhaps in 1975).
I just wanted to let you know that there are people out there such as myself that remember
you...and wish to hear more from you. I may be young...but not so very young...and I miss
your words...and your music...I do have the CDs that are available to the GP...as well as
old albums (albeit very scratched)...and of course I have all of your books of poetry, as
well as "Finding My Father"...but I would like nothing more than to hear that
you are still here...and hopefully your brother Edward as well. Lee Murray
Dear Lee, I just checked and my pulse is fine. Whew. Edward has just gone off to bed with
his favorite cats and he seemed to be OK when he left. If there are any major events
regarding his health, I'm sure I'll find out about them on the morrow. Will keep you
posted.
What a nice letter. Sorry about Sloopy, that's an awful story. Our animals are so much a
part of our lives that losing one is the same as one of our children or a best friend
dying.
Give my love and thanks to your mom and brothers, Warmly, Rod
Since the world as we know it ends in nine days (except for those of us with Macs) be
especially nice to the people you love this week and sleep warm. See you tomorrow with
Pass It Along.
- RM 12/23/99 Previously unpublished |
