Why did this week’s prompt hit me on such a personal level?
Because it’s about junk.
Worn-out, no longer used (and no longer usable) junk.
There was a time when the equipment in the photo was new and in excellent working condition. But old age set in, as it does with all mechanical equipment.
As it does, with all of us.
It was Robert Browning who wrote: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be!”
He could not have been more mistaken. :-)
You understand, I’m not complaining; I enjoy my life, even as a certified oldster. But I know that the best of life had to do with those earlier years.
Maxwell Anderson summed it up, in a magnificent, unforgettable lyric:
When I was a young man courting the girls
I played me a waiting game.
If a maid refused me with tossing curls,
I'd let the old Earth make a couple of whirls
While I plied her with tears in lieu of pearls,
And as time came around she came my way.
As time came around, she came.
But it's a long, long while from May to December
And the days grow short when you reach September.
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game.
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few,
September, November…
And these few precious days I'll spend with you.
These precious days I'll spend with you.
30 comments:
Been absent awhile from Magpie Tales but visiting some regulars. I loved your take on this. I am in that season of fall and it is so hard to stay motivated even though I have a lot of interests. I have looked around and need to rid my self and surroundings of a little junk. My daughter says, just let me in there mom. I am an sentimentalist. She would throw away all the things from their childhood they made for me. That is the kind of 'junk' I keep. Great post Mr. B.
QMM
You chose the perfect lyrics for this abandoned farm ....
I hear that. When I turned 50, my mother said to me, "Ah to be 50 again! You're still a young man!" A couple of years ago she asked how I was feeling. After complaining about my feet, knees, and one hip, she said matter of factly,"Well I just want to tell you something: IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER."
Ah, to be 50 again!
Rick
oh, yeah,
keep beautiful days in check.
lovely tale.
Ah, poor Browning, but he didn't know what "was yet to be". A tragic love story, his.
I've always liked the Maxwell Anderson lyric, especially when I could relate to "a long, long while from May to December" but now that my days are growing shorter, I find it's okay, too.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Ah, Berownie, if only I had really listened to that lyric when it and we were young!
Now, all I can advise the ageing man is:
Try to see something funny in everything.
Never walk past a urinal.
Never waste an erection. :-)
I found the words of that song (one of my very greatest favourites, by the way) more sad 'back then' than I do now. Old age has proved to be much more cheerful than I'd expected!
beautiful! and I remember my father playing that song on the stereo, it always made me sad.
R. Rimes: "Old age has proved to be much more cheerful than I'd expected!"
Yes, there are times when it's quite enjoyable. Tho I still think youth has it beat. :-)
Stafford Ray, the Voice of Experience. :-)
Rick: "IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER."
But as long as it doesn't get too much worse, it's fine.
A wonderful selection... just love those lyrics.
such a good choice of lyrics for this post. A song I always loved when young and now feel when old!
Dear Berowne: Great quotes; I'm Youtube-ing the song! To grow old with all "yous" would be just fine with me! Hold on; there's got to be a cure for rusty tomorrows! (not a rusty screwdriver but you never know!)Jane Jones
nice lyrics...will look this up on youtube as i would love to hear it...
I hear the melody and a plaintiff voice singing these words...thanks for letting me hum Anderson once again...I have a mind that insists on remembering trivia..you would know...Walter Huston??
Ah, something to look forward to- death.
Chin up, Berowne.
thingy: "Chin up, Berowne."
Yes, I'm keeping a liff upper stipp. :-)
Lyn: "You would know...Walter Huston??"
Yes, indeed. There have been quite a few versions of this famous song; Huston's probably still the best. :-)
Sad and reflective. I, too, like the Maxwell Anderson poem.
Oh dear.
I love the lyrics, and I love to wallow;
so for now, thanks, but I hope for a more upbeat frame of mind tomorrow.
I love that song. May is youthful, optimistic, sometimes selfish. September is experienced,realistic, also self-centred. The best is yet to come . . . I hope;-)
jabblog: "The best is yet to come . . . I hope."
H'mm. Hope it works out for you. :-)
Berowne, I have just one thing to say; give me a man who, like a good wine, is improved with age, anyday. x
Those lyrics have caused me to dread fall, whether as a metaphor or as the real season. :)
I love reading lyrics to songs - what a great idea. Great post
Precious days, indeed. Damn right there is not time for games, now. Good choice!
Elizabeth: "Give me a man who, like a good wine, is improved with age, anyday."
Glad to hear it. I consider myself a fairly acceptable Merlot. :-)
Must have heard the echo from this when I chose the picture for this week's In Tandem.
I love "September Song" I have a CD with Lotte Lenya singing it. I keep Kleenex handy. Thanks Berowne for another informative post.
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