Remember when Our Songs were just like Prayers in General

The meteorologists have taken to calling this the summer that wasn’t. We have only had a couple of hot days. The rest of the time it has been pleasantly cool, mid 70s with low humidity. Which explains why all the out of staters don’t seem to want to leave.

I stayed relatively busy yesterday. I had an appointment with Xfinity, which is what COMCAST is now calling itself. The new box will not delete cancelled DVR shows. And tries to record every instance of every one of my favorite shows even though I told it to only record those shows that are in HD and New. After an hour or so of fiddling with the set, Xfinity dude said “Must be a software problem, I’ll call you back on Wednesday.”

I shrugged and went on about my day. I was expecting a call from Glenn. He called right after Xfinity dude left and we set up to meet to go shooting.

My rifle is now zeroed. I killed a few clay targets.

It has been a long time since I shot NATO 5.56. I had forgotten how loud that round was. And how fast. I could see the dust plume before the report even registered in my brain. I supposed that should be expected of a round that travels a thousand meters per second.

I am nowhere near the dead-eye shot I was at 19, even with an optical sight. But I am still a passable marksman.

Glenn is having girlfriend problems. Kinda serves him right for hooking up with a 28 year old single mother of two kids.

I am not anxious to get into another relationship. Partly because Audrey will own my heart forever. And because. Every single thing about relationships seems like a huge inconvenience. Everything seems like a struggle.

Lacking that imperative to breed, my now brain just asks “Why? Why would I put up with this shit?” Hot and cold, mixed messages.

Pretty is pretty, and sweet is sweet. But sweet Jesus how long until it sinks in?

I guess I have answered my own question.

Next Saturday my High School class gathers for our 37th year reunion. It is not a really important event for me. Have some BBQ and see how the conversation flows.

I was only there for one school year. I am in touch with anyone I would care to be in touch with.

“were we the belly of the beast or the sword that fell…we’ll never tell.
come to me clear and cold on some sea
watch the world spinning waves..like some machine
now i’ve been crazy couldn’t you tell
i threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell”

remember when our songs were just like prayers.
like gospel hymns that you called in the air.
come down come down sweet reverence,
unto my simple house and ring…
and ring.
ring like silver, ring like gold
ring out those ghosts on the ohio
ring like clear day wedding bells
were we the belly of the beast or the sword that fell…we’ll never tell.
come to me clear and cold on some sea
watch the world spinning waves..like some machine
now i’ve been crazy couldn’t you tell
i threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell
now i’m covered up in straw, belly up on the table
well I sang and drank, and passed out in the stable.
that tall grass grows high and brown,
well i dragged you straight in the muddy ground
and you sent me back to where i roam
well i cursed and i cried, but now i know…oh now i know
and i ran back to that hollow again
while the moon was just a sliver back then
and i ached for my heart like some tin man
when it came oh it beat and it boiled and it rang..it’s ringing
ring like crazy, ring like hell
turn me back into that wild haired gale
ring like silver, ring like gold
turn these diamonds straight back into coal.

• The Stable Song, Gregory Alan Isakov

Last updated July 10, 2017