Last December, hmmmmmm......... I don't take notes, mental or otherwise, and
that is rapidly becoming a big problem. Last December is like, well, it's like
last year. Not to be trite. Frankly speaking, it wouldn't matter if the last
full moon cycle hadn't straddled the millennium, I still couldn't tell you where
we landed 28 days ago. But I vaguely recall that the majority arrived safely,
in due time. I don't remember what we talked about, sang, ate, or if anyone
left behind articles of clothing, or at least an accessory that Daniel could
itemize in some late-night bulletin (although one among us probably did). I
believe we rambled through the park (Central), there was a dusting of snow,
and we ended at Ellen O'Dees
Steve was the hare. That's good to put in writing. So there it is. I don't know
what scribes do when they don't have notes. Back in the day, I didn't need notes.
In those halcyon years, I could absorb the youthful emotion and wisdom of those
surrounding me, and toss it back in earnest, appended by provocative charm,
a keen twist, or barbed wit. But no more. Sadly, I now rely on palm pilots and
e-mail for my 2001 memory and they bear no creative faculty. Yet, through this
humbling banter, I sight again my youth, and those Broadway show tunes (segue).
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm against technopop, grunge, rap, blues,
acid jazz, or anything these kids listen to today, it's just that show tunes
better vocalize certain moments. Like this: a pining for time fleeting while
we gallop our way to mortality. I'm reminded of the Fantasticks, the longest
running Broadway musical, ever. It opened thirty years ago. Then, some among
us were a gleam in a young couple's eye, some were pre-pubescents whose gonads
yearned to migrate south, others were sipping their first spiked punch at a
junior high dance, and an unfortunate few were pleading with a recalcitrant
dean to retain their collegiate standing for at least one more semester. Below
is not a sing-a-long song, particularly in deference to the druid-like performance
at the end of the millennium hash, but more a simple dirge. A lot has happened
since last December, and what I remember seems so far away...
Lyrics to the tune of "Try to Remember" from the "Fantasticks" (light melody)
Try to remember
That hash last December
When snow was clean and not so yellow.
Try to remember
That hash last December
As moonbeams gleamed
On Supreme Court bellows,
(Shift key to major)
Try to remember,
Our hash last December
When stocks rang high
For happy fellows.
Yes, Try to remember
and if you remember,
then swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow, swallow. (continue refrain until full)