22 Comments
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Jackie's avatar

gutted

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

It does have some melancholy to it.

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Patty Mallett's avatar

What was the song? Why did Logan’s mom react so fiercely to it? Who was the singer? What compelled him to sing so loudly and for so long? What, if anything, did the statue have to do with it?

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I had some lyrics in my head that I almost included. But I didn't want to cloud it. The lyrics weren't important in the scheme of it.

Many street people just like to sing. It's therapeutic.

Why would a mom drag a child away from a man with dreadlocks, rather violently, rather than allow learning experiences? You'd have to ask her, but the story is about the negative impact that experience created, and how the child grew to long for something that was forbidden.

The classroom is a hint that some forms of learning are acceptable while very similar teachable moments are not.

He remembers the pain, when he only wanted to learn a new song.

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Patris's avatar

He wanted to hear the truth maybe

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Jim Graham's avatar

My mother was a musician and a teacher. She always led us to the music, and the lyrics.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I haven't forgotten her. I know she would never have done something like the mom in the story.

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daisy cashin's avatar

the words!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

You like mine or you want to know what the singer was singing?

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daisy cashin's avatar

Brainwave went like this:

Wow this jimmy doom fella has cool words. Then I went down a brain hole of all the possibilities the song could be. Thought it would be hilarious if it turned out to be I’m A Little Teapot or something. Then finally I thought, wow words are frickin sweet! So I just typed, “the words!”

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

This Jimmy Doom fella has tons of words.

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daisy cashin's avatar

Seems like it! There is hope yet.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

There's only hope for me if I can make this paid subscribers list grow.

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Ernie Brill's avatar

this is different. than most of your work ( but still with the sparkling edgy leaness I enjoy so much.

I ve been superbusy getting my first book of poetry ready- Journeys of Voices and Choices (Poems from 1964 -a few months ago). I've done a lot of work with many small presses over the years and independent bookstores so I have a bunch of booksellers tocontact and readings here (Western Mass) and in my second home (the Bay Area where I lived from 1965-1979 when I returned to New York City with a book contract with a young beginning lefty press ( South End Press) who wanted to. start " a line in fiction and poetry" and thought my collection of stories about black and white hospital workers woud be a good start- more on that another time.

On the downside, my wife ( my highschool sweetheart who I reconnected with in 2000 ( a mere breakupof 37 years) is having some serious heart problems HBP/Brachacardia) so Ive been busy at home.

If you dont hear from me for awhile, the above are some reasons why.But I want to tell you much your wrting enlivens my world. You have a vision many might not like or become uncomfortable, but you are in one of the greatest non-bars on earths. -the TRUTHFUL WRITER's JOINT. IT HAS HEAVY DOORS BUT WE SENSE ALL THE RAMBUNCTIOUS GREATNESS. each time we push them open.

best,

Ernie B

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Ernie Brill's avatar

I didnt say much about this latest piece but I like it as much as anything youve written and more than most. I like wistful and positive; it's so rare.

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Joe's avatar

If I were teaching a class this would be a great jumper to get out and learn by observing and talking to people.

I've generally found a person's favorite topic is themselves.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

People can have amazing conversations with strangers downtown or anywhere. They just don't.

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Joe's avatar

It really is such a shame we are all either in such a hurry or too scared to speak with strangers.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

It was bad before phones. Now it's terrible.

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Joe's avatar

Makes Paul Simon's piece "The Sound of Silence" look absolutely prescient.

Except the 'neon god' is more of a silicon god.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I always liked that song.

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