Aloneness is a Gift

 I'm happy being quite alone, but writing is a lonely occupation.  In coming up with a daily post, I'll read a news article, or I'll just write about that which is on my mind.  It takes about an hour on average to write a post and about another half hour to go over it.  But if my writing doesn't flow, I'll delete what I have and start over or abandon the idea and move on to something else.  No one sees an arricle until I post it.  Since I type on my phone, my mind can work a lot faster than my forefinger finger tip.  But if a concept flows my finger keeps up and I simply slow down my thoughts.

Such it is with today's topic of teenage angst and loneliness, which was prevalent in my day without video games and social networking.  But I am always saddened when I especially read about a teen suicide.  Paul Simon addressed loneliness in much of his music, often sung so brilliantly by Art Garfunkel.  I have every vinyl record and CD this duo ever put out.  

It's refreshing today to see that Simon and Garfunkel are embraced by youth of today as I did back in my youth.  There is no song more reflective of loneliness in a crowded city like New York than the Sounds of Silence.  Paul Simon was the songwriter for this iconic duo and he wrote many songs about loneliness and isolation.  Some might think of Bridge Over Troubled Waters as his come to Jesus song, but it is about friendship.  It's a promise they'll always be there no matter what.  

Some might think of Bob Dylan as the spokesperson of my day, but Simon addressed the isolation of youth in a very haunting and perhaps a prophetic way.  In the song El Condor Pasa he writes that he'd rather be the hammer than the nail.  In America he's traveling on a bus with a girl named Cathy and tells her he's lost, but he knows she's sleeping.  She doesn't hear him which adds to his loneliness and isolation.  

I could go on and on with quotes from Paul Simon in his music.  In spite of being a rock star his music reflects the loneliness and isolation of youth.  Perhaps no song is mote telling than I Am a Rock.  In rhis song he says he's not just a rock, but he says he's an island.  I could sit here and do a psychoanalysis of Paul Simon through much of his music and writing.  But he found a theme and stayed with it as this theme reverberates through much of his music.  

The lyrics sung by Art Garfunkel added to the haunting beauty of his music.  I could go on and on about the writing of Paul Simon as sung by Art Garfunel.  They are still perhaps the most famous duo since the Righteous Brothers, but more prolific and haunting.  I can listen to Simon and Garfunkel hours on end over and over and never tire of their music.  They are the most famous duo in rock music and probably will be for quite some time.

I was as enamored of their music as young people are today.  Simon and Garfunkel has left a big footprint for the youth of today, perhaps even more than they did back in my day, particularly with the Sound of Silence.  It is a song that is oxymoronic, but it just works.  I spend a lot of time by myself but I'm never alone nor do I ever feel lonely.  My pipe keeps me company and I communicate with the Divine with my thoughts.  Every lonely person needs the Divne.  But for many it's not there.

Today it is my Sherlock Holmes pipe with Rum and Maple, which i have found to be a nice tobacco on these cooler Florida days.  I thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave