Wonderful! You are so right. I have this (similar) discussion with another writer friend from time to time. We pick each other up and say "bleep those guys!" and press on regardless. We NEED to write, and it feels especially good when something comes out of us that resonates deeply within US. Not everyone will appreciate it but it's still very very good. Thank you! :D
My oldest son has expressed just such sentiments when the life roller-coaster has reached bottom and the slow climb back up the hill is competed…he says he “feels like himself, again.”
“…go ahead, tell me the prize wasn’t meant for me…”
Growing up, a skinny, insecure kid with a large nose, I became convinced that the prize wasn’t meant for me; while I wasn’t looking, I must have blossomed, because at age 16 I scored a fantastic 1st girlfriend who actually “liked-me-back;” and that was the launching pad.
Of course the crowd told me the prize wasn’t for me, but I was able to just laugh, because I knew that I had the goods.
Last evening on the Grammy’s, Traci Chapman reprised her song, “Fast Car.” The chorus speaks to a moment that confirmed I was “someone” back in 1974. It happened when my college was hosting a convention of pharmacy students from the Midwest. I hated pharmacy but loved girls and I managed to chat up two really cute girls from Purdue…they were “delegates” to the convention whereas I was a “delinquent” to the convention.
I was dancing with a girl from my college (our eventual valedictorian) to "Jesus is Just Alright with Me" when the song transitions from upbeat rock to the slow part, when you have to slow dance and at that transition, she walked off the dance-floor...she may have thought I was still engaged or she was fearful that she might brush up against the "trouser-trout" and give up on her studies? LOL
You know, here's the deal about that night...I took advantage of the immediate situation...I turned defeat into victory:
When the future valedictorian walked off the dance floor leaving me stranded in the middle of "Jesus Is Just Alright with Me," I'm standing there and I see this blonde from Purdue on the perimeter, but only 10 to 15 feet away...so I make a joke out of an embarrassing situation and I say to her, "You have to save me; I'm stranded please come and dance with me, this is embarrassing!"
And she laughed and it worked...the cosmic part of the whole thing, the fate vs. destiny part, is how the heck it ramped up from there; the next thing I knew is that we were French-kissing while I was driving at 70mph in a borrowed car...within the hour!! Crazy stuff; COSMIC; even today it is difficult for me even to fathom...I was scratching my head over it back then, as it was happening...
That’s where the chorus from Chapman’s “Fast Car,” described that moment of cosmic clarity and told me the prize was certainly for me because I was "someone":
I must say, I really loved reading the narrative of this comment. It felt like I was right there having a chat with you and you were reminiscing about this remarkable time in your life. You're a good dude in my book, and it's an honor to get glimpses into your life through these comment-vignettes that you've been gifting to me lately. I LOVE Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. I also totally resonate with that 'be someone' lyric. and It's super special that people are paying attention to that song again. Thank you, Roy! And thank you Tracy Chapman too. To all the people who want to 'be someone' and have a feeling that they belonged. :)
Your inspired observations in your poetry trigger my tangential thoughts...you are a "good dude" and it's an honor to read your expressive/creative feelings. Dudes!
Yup. So over always battling the powers that be because goal setting is vital, anybody can teach English apparently, and no respect for the art of writing. It has taken me decades, but the people in power dont tend to be picture and nor do they care.
Love the sentiment you've captured here, Franco. But I'm conflicted. I'm thinking it's less about figuring out how to break or bend the existing rules and more about figuring out ones path and determining your own rules. But, upon reflection, maybe that actually is bending the existing rules. Either way, it's an awesome piece!!!
“She spent an astonishing amount of time in attending lectures and demonstrations, distributing literature for the Junior Anti-Sex League, preparing banners for Hate Week, making collections for the savings campaign, and such-like activities. It paid, she said; it was camouflage. If you kept the small rules you could break the big ones.”
Better Call Saul nice! Bob Odenkrik really made that role. Undone is another masterpiece of his too . He has such a rich history of work. Enjoy your content. Keep it up!
Some days (like today) I could post and post and post and the day is a rose veiled paradise. I feel like a queen reigning. Other days I want to hide behind a rock and take my entire substack down😂😂
Certainly connected with this piece today. Creating is a constant roller coaster of waxing and waning confidence. But that is the beauty of it. I relish the times I feel alive even though those times don't come as often as I would like or think they should. We all create because it's what makes us feel alive and setting aside those who doubt us, is simply part of the ride. Saul is a perfect example (loved that series).
Wonderful! You are so right. I have this (similar) discussion with another writer friend from time to time. We pick each other up and say "bleep those guys!" and press on regardless. We NEED to write, and it feels especially good when something comes out of us that resonates deeply within US. Not everyone will appreciate it but it's still very very good. Thank you! :D
yes, bleep those guys hard! thank you, Adelia!
😂
You pretty much took the words right from my head. Agree completely!
Writers typically are full of themselves sometimes, whether they want to be or not.
yes! for sure. thanks, David!
Acid ghost. There are possibilities there.
:) yes agreed
“…an acid ghost, ahead of the pack,
a hero of hostility…” FANTASTIC!
“…the most myself
I’ve felt in quite a while…
it came on as a surprise, really,
the lungs returned and the laughs returned…”
My oldest son has expressed just such sentiments when the life roller-coaster has reached bottom and the slow climb back up the hill is competed…he says he “feels like himself, again.”
“…go ahead, tell me the prize wasn’t meant for me…”
Growing up, a skinny, insecure kid with a large nose, I became convinced that the prize wasn’t meant for me; while I wasn’t looking, I must have blossomed, because at age 16 I scored a fantastic 1st girlfriend who actually “liked-me-back;” and that was the launching pad.
Of course the crowd told me the prize wasn’t for me, but I was able to just laugh, because I knew that I had the goods.
Last evening on the Grammy’s, Traci Chapman reprised her song, “Fast Car.” The chorus speaks to a moment that confirmed I was “someone” back in 1974. It happened when my college was hosting a convention of pharmacy students from the Midwest. I hated pharmacy but loved girls and I managed to chat up two really cute girls from Purdue…they were “delegates” to the convention whereas I was a “delinquent” to the convention.
I was dancing with a girl from my college (our eventual valedictorian) to "Jesus is Just Alright with Me" when the song transitions from upbeat rock to the slow part, when you have to slow dance and at that transition, she walked off the dance-floor...she may have thought I was still engaged or she was fearful that she might brush up against the "trouser-trout" and give up on her studies? LOL
You know, here's the deal about that night...I took advantage of the immediate situation...I turned defeat into victory:
When the future valedictorian walked off the dance floor leaving me stranded in the middle of "Jesus Is Just Alright with Me," I'm standing there and I see this blonde from Purdue on the perimeter, but only 10 to 15 feet away...so I make a joke out of an embarrassing situation and I say to her, "You have to save me; I'm stranded please come and dance with me, this is embarrassing!"
And she laughed and it worked...the cosmic part of the whole thing, the fate vs. destiny part, is how the heck it ramped up from there; the next thing I knew is that we were French-kissing while I was driving at 70mph in a borrowed car...within the hour!! Crazy stuff; COSMIC; even today it is difficult for me even to fathom...I was scratching my head over it back then, as it was happening...
That’s where the chorus from Chapman’s “Fast Car,” described that moment of cosmic clarity and told me the prize was certainly for me because I was "someone":
‘Cause I remember when we were drivin',
Drivin' in your car,
Speeds so fast I felt like I was drunk,
City lights lay out before us,
And your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder,
And I, I had a feelin' that I belonged,
And I, I had a feelin' I could be someone,
Be someone,
Be someone.
https://youtu.be/AIOAlaACuv4?si=5-vG9FVGM0dRDCQe
I must say, I really loved reading the narrative of this comment. It felt like I was right there having a chat with you and you were reminiscing about this remarkable time in your life. You're a good dude in my book, and it's an honor to get glimpses into your life through these comment-vignettes that you've been gifting to me lately. I LOVE Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. I also totally resonate with that 'be someone' lyric. and It's super special that people are paying attention to that song again. Thank you, Roy! And thank you Tracy Chapman too. To all the people who want to 'be someone' and have a feeling that they belonged. :)
Your inspired observations in your poetry trigger my tangential thoughts...you are a "good dude" and it's an honor to read your expressive/creative feelings. Dudes!
https://youtu.be/yNHdPPJGowY?si=1yHCnP96x2JxwiFN
“wearing the thing I’d remembered
as a smile… “ love this line, the act of smiling even when you don’t feel like it can help turns things around
yes true, sometimes we can act our way to a certain feeling, and it can make a difference
Yup. So over always battling the powers that be because goal setting is vital, anybody can teach English apparently, and no respect for the art of writing. It has taken me decades, but the people in power dont tend to be picture and nor do they care.
exactly, well said! thank you, Tanya :)
https://youtu.be/OCjRePPx4h4?si=5cxN0c01pO_khf9U
yes! another good one!
A song to keep in mind: https://youtu.be/OCjRePPx4h4?si=5cxN0c01pO_khf9U
Love the sentiment you've captured here, Franco. But I'm conflicted. I'm thinking it's less about figuring out how to break or bend the existing rules and more about figuring out ones path and determining your own rules. But, upon reflection, maybe that actually is bending the existing rules. Either way, it's an awesome piece!!!
“She spent an astonishing amount of time in attending lectures and demonstrations, distributing literature for the Junior Anti-Sex League, preparing banners for Hate Week, making collections for the savings campaign, and such-like activities. It paid, she said; it was camouflage. If you kept the small rules you could break the big ones.”
― George Orwell, 1984
nice pull, i remember that part. 1984, one of my favorites.
thank you! bending, breaking, throwing out the rule book and writing your own, it all works for me :)
Powerful message. food for me thoughts. Thank you for your insights Franco
thank you Ria!
Sure thing! Yeah Odenkirk great actor! Take it easy!
Better Call Saul nice! Bob Odenkrik really made that role. Undone is another masterpiece of his too . He has such a rich history of work. Enjoy your content. Keep it up!
Thank you Mary! Yes I love Odenkirk :)
I appreciate your reflections and raw poem. Thank you
Thank you, Julie 😊
Some days (like today) I could post and post and post and the day is a rose veiled paradise. I feel like a queen reigning. Other days I want to hide behind a rock and take my entire substack down😂😂
I can completely relate to that feeling
Certainly connected with this piece today. Creating is a constant roller coaster of waxing and waning confidence. But that is the beauty of it. I relish the times I feel alive even though those times don't come as often as I would like or think they should. We all create because it's what makes us feel alive and setting aside those who doubt us, is simply part of the ride. Saul is a perfect example (loved that series).
❤️ thank u Michelle
This is a cool affirmation: I just may be full of myself, and that’s okay because sometimes I need to be full of me! Thanks for this😉
thank you <3
You’re welcome
Great poem and a fantastic discussion in the comments, Franco! Thank you for this space ♥️
thank you, Masha for taking part in it. I really appreciate you being here.
Brilliant Franco self doubt and self confidence go hand in hand trying to write appealing stuff.
Certainly is a roller coaster of emotions.
Glad you feel better 👍
Thank you, Karl! we gotta enjoy the ride
I enjoy reading your well articulated words. They resonate wit and authenticity. You're a wonderful writer.
thank you, Karla <3 great to see you here