Rod McKuen - Flight Plan


THIS ONE DOES IT FOR ME!		A Thought for Today I'm in a hurry, I have no time to hate. But I have all the hours in the seasons left to me to give to love. Dear Ken, Would you be interested in publishing the words of a song that Rod printed in a book of his ballads? The one I felt touched by was "i'm not afraid" (no capitals, and I believe that was Rod's style in the late '60's and early '70's as he sent me a Christmas card with his name in small letters). The book is called, "New Ballads", printed in 1970. Thanks, Jane H. Great choice, Jane - thank you. I always remember Rod commenting some time ago how much he loved opening the second half of his concerts with this Brel collaboration. True to form, this is exactly what he did at Thousand Oaks and Aurora earlier this month. One interesting point - both the book and the album were dedicated to the patron saint of dogs. I just wish I knew who this is - drop me a line if you know. If you have a favorite McKuen song or poem you'd like to share with us one Wednesday drop me a line at ken@mckuen.com and I'll do the rest. I really liked John Frazar's suggestion yesterday that we implement a McKuen Mailing List - so let's do it! Signing up is pretty simple - just click on the link below for instructions. The Rod McKuen Mailing List - Ken, Johannesburg, March 28



		Freddie Bartholomew o Dirk Bogarde o Zbigniew Brzezinski o August Anheuser Busch, Jr. o Ken Howard o Jay Livingston o Frank Lovejoy o Charlie McCoy o Reba McEntire o Edmund Muskie o Marlin Perkins o Raphael o Dame Flora Robson o Rudolph Serkin o Julia Stiles o Rufus Thomas o Paul Whiteman o Dianne Wiest

		The business of Autumn is letting it lie where it falls. The business of man is picking up himself and every member of his family who falls or stumbles in the yellow leaves. You cannot measure on a scale what love is worth, though one small gesture sometimes tallies the amount as surely as any seasoned teller could. Enter into each relationship with trust. Do not be easily convinced that something you want badly enough or believe in will not work. Life works if you work at it.

I'M NOT AFRAID		1. One afternoon, I came to hear you sing a soft song into my ear. Who would have thought, quite by chance we might engage in the loving dance. Coming together, coming apart lost in diversions, dancing starts, caught in the quiet, off on our own coming together, staying alone. Are you afraid ? I'm not afraid. 2. What about you, what about me ? Two years from now, where will we be ? Each of us gone our separate ways lost in the headlong passage of days. Maybe we might give love a try extending the minutes before goodbye and for a gentle moment in time we'll take what pleasure people can find. Are you afraid ? I'm not afraid. 3. What is for real, what is false ? All of us seem to be caught in a waltz turning around, turning again when will the dancing ever end ? As for us, you and me our eyes are open, we can see both of us know where we've been why must we both go dancing again. Are you afraid ? I'm not afraid. 4. Come join the dancing, come join the waltz don't look to closely at my faults why can't I die here in your arms safe from the night and safe from the dawn. Back to the nothing that has no name! Back to the nowhere from where I came don't worry of me, I know where I am where I'm going and where I've been and I'm not afraid. - from the album "New Ballads", 1970

© 1970, 1986, 2001 by Stanyan Music Group & Rod McKuen. All Rights Reserved

Birthday research by Wade Alexander o Poetry from the collection of Jay Hagan o Coordinated by Melinda Smith

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