Feeling slightly nostalgic tonight. Been thinking about my previous life (my 19 years in Kentucky). It's amazing how we've all changed and how life has hit us so hard. I'm sure it's the same for everyone. I remember, though, in elementary school we all had such big dreams... and most of us have either given up on them, or circumstances have led us down other paths. It's sad to think about it now; I miss those friends I had. And, I know I'll never see them again. I can go back to Kentucky and see the people, but it'll be different. We're not the kids we were. Life has darkened us all a bit. We never saw it coming. Anyway, the following song lyrics are from Mary Chapin Carpenter, who is without a doubt one of the greatest modern poets. This song says a lot and seems to fit my current mood.
Stones in the Road
(written by Mary Chapin Carpenter)
When we were young, we pledged allegiance every morning of our lives
The classroom rang with children's voices under teacher's watchful eye
We learned about the world around us at our desks and at dinnertime
Reminded of the starving children, we cleaned our plates with guilty minds
And the stones in the road shone like diamonds in the dust
And then a voice called to us to make our way back home
When I was ten, my father held me on his shoulders above the crowd
To see a train draped in mourning pass slowly through our town
His widow kneeled with all their children at the sacred burial ground
And the TV glowed that long hot summer with all the cities burning down
And the stones in the road flew out beneath our bicycle tires
Worlds removed from all those fires as we raced each other home
And now we drink our coffee on the run, we climb that ladder rung by rung
We are the daughters and the sons, but here's the line that's missing
The starving children have been replaced by souls out on the street
We give a dollar when we pass, and hope our eyes don't meet
We pencil in, we cancel out, we crave the corner suite
We kiss your ass, we make you hold, we doctor the receipt
And the stones in the road fly out from beneath our wheels
Another day, another deal, before we get back home
And the stones in the road leave a mark from whence they came
A thousand points of light or shame, baby, I don't know
Monday, November 21, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
awww.. the meanie's feelin nostalgic. >:P
*sniffle* i'm not a meanie.
and i'm no drama queen. bleh!
I totally feel you on this post Matt. I remember all the dreams I used to have and what I wanted to become. And now, due to circumstances I'm kind of stuck from moving off and thinking of only myself. I have two little ones to think about, but I think we each have to find something to make us want better and to make us work harder, and for me, that's my sons.
Question.. Do you remember that time in 4th grade when the wall fell?? lol. For some reason that moment just popped up in my head!
Just remember, sometimes as we grow older we become better people and better friends for one another. I wasn't always the nicest person then but I try to be now.
I do remember the wall. I've thought about that several times since then, it's always stuck with me. I wonder if everyone else remembers it so well? It sure was memorable.
Post a Comment