Music for Loren

Loren and me, in Costa Rica

Loren liked Simon and Garfunkle. Actually he loved music, from classical and opera (inherited from our mom), to “the oldies but goodies” like Frank Sinatra (inherited from our dad), to jazz, rock 'n roll, and contemporary meditative music like Enya. Whenever Loren came to visit in St. Petersburg, we listened to music together. Enya was a favorite the last few years. Loren thought her songs evoked the spirit of the goddess. Such special visits.

My granddaughter Alli recently told me that she listens to Enya because it reminds her of me! She remembers that I played Enya while she and Josh ate breakfast when THEY visited me in St. Pete. How touching, how sweet. So Enya has become a tie that binds across the generations.

But for now, it’s Simon and Garfunkle songs that have been running through my head, over and over, as if Loren wants to hear them. The lyrics are as lovely as the music. Loren knew them by heart, related to their meaning and to the images. “Hello darkness, my old friend.” “I‘m on your side, when times get rough.” "Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind."

Loren was my bridge over troubled water, always there. He never let me down. I hope he knew I was there for him, whenever he needed a friend. It pains me to think that I, however, might have let Loren down sometimes. That I got impatient, off center. But Loren always came round, always remembered what was important. I hope he knows how much I loved him, how deeply I cared for him, cherished his soul, his spirit. Memories of Loren, my cosmic soulmate. Music for Loren.

The Sound Of Silence By Paul Simon
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left it's seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence.

"fools" said i, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon God they made.
And the sign flashed out it's warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, "the words of the prophets

Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls."
And whisper'd in the sounds of silence.

Bridge Over Troubled Water
by Simon and Garfunkle

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind