Songs of the not-so innocent

Imagine stopping. Song for the moment: White room - Cream

Having written about a 100 something posts, you would think it would get easier. Just think the thoughts and the words will type themselves into something resembling a readable piece. You know others who do it. Of course, that does not happen. To you, that is. Much as you'd like the blog to simply be a place for your thoughts, the random ideas that float in to your head and a landing pad for the times when ennui brings you crashing down, you are coherent enough to realize that you have expectations of yourself. That, having read good books by great writers, you would at least want to try to take a few tottering steps toward quality writing. You think about the number of drafts you've deleted because they did not have 'it' when you read & re-read them. Right there, the little guy with the sneering voice points out the mediocre ones that have made it past the 'publish post' point & you begin to wonder whether you would recognise quality writing if it waltz...

"You've lost weight" they say In concern, not in congratulation. Perhaps a slight twinge of envy, maybe That they need must exercise To achieve something similar. He shrugs his bony shoulders Smiles. And wonders how one can feel both Heaviness & emptiness In one body. "It must be love"... "He must be pining"... He is polite & will not shatter their illusions But cannot help his amusement at the antithesis For abhorrent anger will burn the flesh just as well. Song for the moment: The last time - Janis Joplin

It looked innocuous. That was the truth. It had his name, designation, office address etcetera. Pretty consistent with what should be on it. It was his very first business card too. And yet, he could not escape the fact - it looked innocuous. In that moment, it seemed to define him... the individual alphabets uniting to obstinately state what it was he did. Or what he pretended to do. Who he was on the day. And who he wanted to be. With a deep, weary sigh he wished he had not ordered so many of them. Song for the moment: White rabbit - Jefferson Airplane

It was around 7:00 pm on a weekday as I entered the house. The hall lights were dimmed & the atmosphere was sombre... so heavy that I knew there'd been a stormy argument very recently. From the kitchen, came the sound of a knife rhythmically slicing through vegetables & hitting the cutting board. The clickety-clack of the computer keyboard could be heard faintly from my folks' bedroom. My strategy in such times was to quietly slink into my room to ensure I was not at the receiving end of any leftover angst. I know you've done that countless number of times too. The stereo was playing a tape called 'Love at the Movies', a mix of romantic 70's & 80's movie songs. Not being at an age where one is terribly enthused by random people yodelling on about love, pain, loneliness or belonging, I barely paid any attention to the music. Just as I'd crossed the hall toward the passage to my room, the opening bars of this floated forth from the speakers. I...