Why Did We or Did We Love Rod McKuen?

[The Lone Liberal]

I guess it was because he was so damn Sausalito and Frisco Bay……

always knew
that you would find me,
no clock needed to remind
me that it would happen.
I planned on it, worked it out
hid in plain sight every day
knowing you would pass,
that way or this, come along,
go by, pause in moving to
here or somewhere; near or
far it did not matter. You
would arrive.

It kept the heart
alive and thriving in the clatter
of times' travel to know
that you would turn and see me
then not turn away.You here
or coming, unraveling the puzzle,
kept me whole and safe
and driving on toward this day.


What was your thoughts not today, but back then, way back in the 60s. Did you dig him?

[NoPasaran]

1. Ewwwwwwwwwww!

I wasn't much of a fan.

[madfloridian]

2. I loved his work.

I remember some 8-tracks hubby and I had of his songs and poems. Now that you remind me I think I will order a CD.
I remember this one at Carnegie Hall:
http://atozee.com/Amazon/apf2.pl?input_item=B000001V7O&input_search_type=AsinSearch&input_templates=2

These were the songs on there, and I even had the music for piano which is my instrument. I highlighted my favorites.
Overture: The World I Used to Know/Jean/Joanna/I'll Catch the Sun/Liste

Kaleidoscope

Ally, Ally Oxen Free

I'll Catch the Sun
I've Been to Town
Everybody's Rich But Us
Cat Named Sloopy
Bend Down and Touch Me
Joanna
Things Men Do
Stanyan Street
If You Go Away

Seasons in the Sun

Champion Charlie Brown

Love's Been Good to Me

Do It Yourself Protest Songs & Don't Ban the Bomb
Ivy That Clings to the Wall

People on Their Birthdays
Complete Madame Butterfly
Amsterdam
Play Off: The World I Used to Know/Happy Birthday
Jean
Closing Remarks

[DieboldMustDie]

3. Are you sentimental

Dote on plastic charm
Rod's massage is gentle
Does no lasting harm
No deep thoughts to rile you
Blandness to beguile you
Pare your toenails while you
Listen to the smarm

-- I didn't write this, but I can't remember who did. Always found it funny though. ;)

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

4. Back then I detested him.

Now I never think about him.

[moof]

5. Rod was cool, the sea, earth & sky

triple album set is something that woild be nice to have on CD
if it could ever be found , if it exists.

"maybe they'll make it better "

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. I have a couple of his autographed books.

There are here, somehwere. haven't looked at them in years.

[tsakshaug]

7. not really

Poetry does not do a lot for me.
He did even less.

[chimpymustgo]

8. Clouds are not the cheeks of angels. They're only clouds.

Friendly, sometimes
But you can never be sure.
If I had longer arms
I'd push the clouds away
Or make them hang above the water
Somewhere else.
But I'm just a man
who needs and wants
mostly things he'll never have.....

(don't remember anymore)

I LOVED McKuen, the albums with the spoken poetry and musical soundtracks.

"The Sea" was wonderful.

This is the way is was
while I was waiting for your eyes to find me
I was drifting
going no place
hypnotized by sunshine maybe
barking back at seals along the beach
skipping flat stones on the water
But much too wise for sand castles
My castles were across the sea
Still within my mind
I must have thought the night could save me
As I went down into pillows
(can't remember...)
turned in thunderbirds and kissed in elevators...

Oh well. I wish they'd issue a CD.