Our Songs

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It began with Neil
Hello Again
We parted often
Only to return
We said our vows
With Hello on our lips
Holding hands to Hello Again
To say, “I love you.”
Bette gave us The Rose
Whose petals serenaded us
For forty-one years
White roses sang the words of love
“I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed.”
He handed me the buds
Planted and ready to grow
I carried its growth on our wedding day
And every April 17
In our garden and on a dresser
The roses of our marriage
Grew purer each year.
Bar bar bar bar bar Barbara Ann
The Beach Boys lifted John out of his chair
This song gave him dance
We could bop to it in the kitchen
In the ice cream parlor
And wherever our feet felt its beats
Two left feet and no rhythm
Conquered by Bar bar bar bar bar Barbara Ann
Still, it plays in my head
As we swung and turned and giggled to the tune.
I can see him saying, “I can do this one.”
I can see us playing together
Just like always.
The miracle of music saw John swing
Turning me into his arms
Rhythmic and free.
Forever in my mind.

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Waylon and Willie
Once at Spartan Stadium
Hot and sunny on a summer day
Sharing the fun with best friends
A bit buzzed
Some grass, dope or weed
Filled the air and our lungs
We waited for country’s best
Patient and knowing soon their guitars would strum
Willie and Waylon soon would come
Soon they’d walk the ramp and give us our daily dose
Good Hearted Woman, Luckenbach, Texas  and I’m A Ramblin Man
So many great ones they could boast.
Now, I could see Waylon’s measured walk
His hat on his head and boots on the step
Ready to give us their joy.
Waylon infused the air
With deep, robust and gravelly tones
With his partner somewhere.
Missing the weathered warm tenor’s voice
We asked, “Where is Willie?”
Never to be seen that day.
Never to be heard
Pot, reefer and too many lids
Kept Willie in the truck.
No hard feelings
Waylon sang
And Willie was Willie.
Opera, Country, Rock and Pop
Music belonged with us.
He whistled Angel of Music in the shower
And Les Mis was never missed.
Lion King’s Circle of Life became a symbol
Music was solace to John as he declined
Peace entered his body with Rigoletto’s most famous.
We moved from Jersey Boys to MJ to Pavarotti with ease
As each piece became part of our fabric of love
Now I listen and feel John.
The notes, the words, the memories
Fill me up.