16 Comments

And Lordy, Oh how I (we) too often choose, in relationships (or songs), those who resemble the holes in our hearts from our growing years.

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Random thought while listening to "Sombody". Well.........man you hit a feeling i cant identify- so something to work on. Thanks!

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Maybe in forgiving our fathers we get a poem, and many songs

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forgiving our fathers

by dick lourie

maybe in a dream: he's in your power

you twist his arm but you're not sure it was

he that stole your money you feel calmer

and you decide to let him go free

or he's the one (as in a dream of mine)

I must pull from the water but I never

knew it or wouldn't have done it until

I saw the street-theater play so close up

I was moved to actions I'd never before taken

maybe for leaving us too often or

forever when we were little maybe

for scaring us with unexpected rage

or making us nervous because there seemed

never to be any rage there at all

for marrying or not marrying our mothers

for divorcing or not divorcing our mothers

and shall we forgive them for their excesses

of warmth or coldness shall we forgive them

for pushing or leaning for shutting doors

for speaking only through layers of cloth

or never speaking or never being silent

in our age or in theirs or in their deaths

saying it to them or not saying it -

if we forgive our fathers what is left

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I keep coming back to this poem and finding something new each time. It speaks to me about finding (or creating) the unexpected twist in a lyric and about the ever changing nature of “truth” in any piece of art. It also has me wanting to get working on writing a new song.

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Man......just thanks. I get a lot out of this. Just enjoyment for me. I feel weird saying that as it feels selfish- but I know its not.

I often read as I listen to music- old 97s is ever present in the mixs- contantly astounded at the emotional maturity expressed that I 100% lack- so the music is also many teachable moments in my head. Again as always- thank you!

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That’s about as much as know of mine, as well, so that got me right in the feels. I remember seeing an episode of Oprah, many moons ago, about there being an epidemic, specifically in our generation (Xers), of people that will always have a hole in their heart in the shape of their father. Apparently there are a lot of us, so you’re in good company! Hugs to anyone who sees this that has/had a deadbeat dad, it’s not your fault❤️

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Is it maybe about Jennifer 1, Heidi, or Bernadette?

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"It isn't ME in this song", he says, but the way he sings it, it breaks your heart, and you think maybe it IS him, at least on some level, and you want to tell him you've felt that way, too, but the line is long, and he's probably tired, so you just say, "I love that song!" and hand him your vinyl to sign, and say, "Thanks so much; see you next time."

Tried putting that in a haiku, for brevity and elegance, but it wouldn't cooperate 🤪

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Haunting. And familiar. And you broke the cycle. Beautiful piece.

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Rhett Miller: I fg love you. Thank you.

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So much with so few words

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That ending! Whew. Thanks, Rhett.

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Also, can I have your therapist’s number:)

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Damn…. Once again, thank you! I’ll share with my daughter

Hopefully she knows me better

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Well that was awesome - and left me in tears. If I could express myself

1/100 as well & deeply as you I’d be happy! Thank you Rhett, And Please don’t stop!! 🌹

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