I want to participate unreservedly in American life.
I want to say hello to my neighbors. I want to send my children to school on a bus with their brethren to read of George Washington and Abe Lincoln. I want them to eat peanut butter sandwiches from a paper sack with waxy boxes of whole milk to wash it down.
I want to watch the news and not think it’s an assault on my worldview. I want to watch the news and not think it’s an assault on the worldview of people with whom I disagree.
I want to read a newspaper. I want to listen to the radio. I wouldn’t mind constructing my own radio with a soldering iron and a few parts that came mail order, but I’d rather not construct the playlist of songs. How would I know what I liked if I had never heard it?
I want to order a drink from the well. I want to sit on naugahyde. I want someone to smoke. I don’t want to smoke. I want people to make music right there in front of me. I want everybody to know the words.
I want everyone to dress as well as they can for a social occasion and still be dressed badly. I want to see dress shoes and white socks.
I want to see old people. I want to see babies. I want to tell people their ugly children are beautiful. I want the ballgame to be on TV. I want the TV to be on a shelf over a bar.
I want to go to church on Sunday. I want to go to a bar on Friday night. I want to go dancing with my wife of many years on Saturday. I want to be buried in the same suit I was married in. I want people to stand there and look at my cold face and say I was no great shakes but I was alright.
I want someone to put flowers on my grave after everyone else has forgotten I was alive.
16 Responses
Nice piece, Greg. Thanks for publishing it again.
It is blasphemy to speak of the king's death.
Otherwise, I'm all in with ya. Carry on.
I'd be happy to put flowers on your grave, but I'm pretty sure I'm older than you, my son is older than your two, and I'm way out west, where it does get "way out (mannnnnnnnnn)", so I expect to go before you, and I know I can't fit in the suit I got married in, besides having given it away. Howsomever, a fine post re-posted!
Many more miles to travel yet I hope.
Be careful what you want for: Spaulding got nothing and liked it, and all he wanted was a cheeseburger, no, scratch that, a milkshake too.
Beautiful, thanks.
Me too. I want now…but I want then too.
Me too.
We once had a wonderful world, didn't we? It still lives in my memory.
Sure wish I had more regrets, though! There are so many paths I didn't follow, sigh.
Dec 10 2017 I still keep looking for you buddy all the best from the lame coast
Dave
Missing you, friend. Love this post.
Hi my friends
I send up a flare. 7/21/18 missing y'all
left D
A flower for you buddy
Hope you're doin' great
Dave
I like eggs. I have cut way back on spam. Sausage is right out.
Hope you are well in the land of the midnight sun.
Still checking in once in a while, love your posts.
I still remember
D
I've written more than a few things in my life.
I almost never wish I'd written something I've read.
I wish I had written this.