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So now is the time to do something about it before you read about them in alphabetical order in the newspaper.
Here comes an article, staying away from
the issues of the day (for now) because they most certainly will be around tomorrow and hopefully so will I. Recently, I have found a soft spot in my articles. Not that I am not a nice guy. I truly am. I am just opinionated and often voice things verbally and/or in writing regarding those things that totally piss me off (for lack of a “softer” phrase). But I can be sweet. I can be nice. And I can delve into the simple things that are often the most important things.
So here is what is going on. A month or two ago, a friend of mine asked me if I was interested to meet him and some of his friends, who my friends too, for lunch. “Sure,” I replied as I thanked him for the gracious offer. And one thing about me, I pride myself on humility and appreciation in matters such as these.
Fast forward to today and here we were at noon enjoy each other’s company, eating well, laughing, and reminiscing at a local Italian food joint in Miami. The four of us are retired cops that worked different units/sections, via different ranks, within the same department before moving on in our lives and careers.
The ribbing was good. I was attacked without mercy. But being the old counterpuncher, I absorbed the blows and gave as good as I got. Now understand, I don’t eat lunch but today I decided I would. The guys should of been honored and quite frankly I believe they were. Breakfast is a must. Therefore, I awoke at 0430, ate, then worked out at 0830. I was good-to-go by noon.
Anyhow, I would love to name these former law enforcement professionals, but I have no doubt, one of them, owes people money…He’s just that type of guy. Thus, it is probably better that I remain low key with that. 😁…WHAT??!! I kid….
Anyway, leaving there, driving off, and being very (rock and roll) musical in my thoughts, I had an old Simon and Garfunkel song in my head. Now, granted Simon and Garfunkel are not to be compared with Zeppelin, the Who, or the Stones in terms of jamming. But Simon’s lyrics rank up there with the greatest of all songwriters.
Understood, that we all now so many Simon and Garfunkel songs such as Mrs. Robinson, The Sounds of Silence, Scarborough Fair, among others. The song that stuck in my head, though great, was one of those gems that hides in an album often becoming a favorite to a person who listens to that album over and over again: The beauty of this song is that it morphs into a very short song called “Bookends.” Both are eloquent in melody and verse.
OLD FRIENDS
Old friends
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
On the high shoes
Of the old friends
Old friends
Winter companions
The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city
Sifting through trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends
Can you imagine us
Years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy
Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear
Time it was
And what a time it was
It was . . .
A time of innocence
A time of confidences
Long ago . . . it must be . . .
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They’re all that’s left you
The song will remain with me for a while. Do yourself a favor and “YouTube” it. You will not be disappointed. It will fill you just as the eggplant parmesan did for me at lunch with my old friends.
It is good to preserve your memories by bringing the past back into the present.
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