What Is Old Is New

If you are looking for recent posts involving Neil Diamond try Parallel OrbitsParallel Orbits otherwise here is an older piece that I am not sure was shared here.

For years you ruled your kingdom alongside your queen. It was both magical and mystical. You loved June so damn fiercely that it hurt to be apart from her. You called her your air as she did you. When she told you that no one else could take better care of you than she you smiled and your heart swelled with joy. It was impossible not to smile because you knew that it was true.

So you took her in your arms and promised her the same. You told her that you would love and honor her. You promised to cherish her and protect her. And you did, protect her. There are more than a few occasions upon which you were called upon to ride out the castle gates and meet those who wished her ill.

You didn’t care what the situation was or how badly the odds might be stacked against you. If June was threatened you were going to meet the challenge head on and do what was required to remove the danger. It wasn’t always easy for her to let you go.

It wasn’t just because she worried about Johnny’s safety but because of her own independence. June had never needed to rely upon another to take care of her problems. Her approval of Johnny’s actions were a testament to how deeply she loved him.

But life happens and things changed. One day Johnny and June left the castle and rode out into the forest. They stood beneath a moonlit sky and held hands. Their quiet moment was interrupted by howling. Johnny looked up and found several pairs of eyes staring back at him. Wolves. Not a wolf, but wolves.

You weren’t fazed by the presence of the wolves, not with June standing next to you. You didn’t worry about your own safety all you cared about was protecting your queen.  So you told her to get on the horse and ride for the safety of the castle walls. And when she protested you told her to stop fighting and to get the hell out.

Grudgingly she mounted your horse and began to ride. Less than a moment later you had your arms wrapped around the body of a wolf. And as you struggled to break his neck the rest of the pack attacked. Rolling in the dirt you wondered if she could hear your screams and hoped not.

Later on you would find yourself lying bloodied and bruised upon the forest floor. There was no sign of the wolves and you had no memory of what had happened to them. So you picked yourself up and wandered back towards the castle. Anxious to see June you maintained a quick pace and it wasn’t long before you arrived.

Only this time the castle gates were not open, nor did trumpets blare to herald your return. Instead you were met by silence. The castle was empty. June was gone and there wasn’t any sort of note to indicate where, when or why.

It would take time but eventually you would learn that she had moved on to another place. So you’d set out to go meet her there, it never occurring to you that your queen had intentionally moved. It took a long time to get to the new place, but you did find it. And when you did you discovered that June wasn’t interested in speaking with you.

You’d come to learn that things had happened and changes had come along with those things. June would tell you that she wasn’t going to spend time with you. But because you are Johnny you’d refuse to give up. You’d tell her that you didn’t believe her. You’d tell her that you were certain she was still your girl and that she was still in love with you.

You’d tell her that you knew she was pushing you away and that you thought that she was acting like an idiot. But you’d find that you couldn’t do much about it because sometimes people have to do things on their own. So you decided to wait. You’d make it clear to June that you still loved her. You’d try and take a long term approach and wait because you were convinced that it wasn’t done.

And in the darker moments you’d question your behavior and wonder if you were a fool. But there were also moments where you were certain that you weren’t. Love isn’t rational and it doesn’t work based upon logic.  So you’d wait because you remembered the secret world and knew that she did too. You’d wait and watch for the sign that maybe it wasn’t all in vain.

Who knew that one kiss could change two lives so dramatically.

Parallel Orbits

She was morning, and I was night time
I one day woke up
To find her lying beside my bed
I softly said “Come take me”
For I’ve been lonely in need of someone
As though I’d done someone wrong somewhere
But I don’t know where, I don’t know where
Come lately
You are the sun, I am the moon
You are the words, I am the tune
Play me

Thought about writing Neil Diamond to ask if he’d help me have a real conversation.

In my head I explained it was a case of bad timing, circumstances and all of the craziness that comes with it.

Told him I needed his help in getting her attention long enough to have a real conversation, the kind that takes place face-to-face.

You know the one where you see their eyes and know you are being heard and they know you are listening.

In my head Neil asks some hard questions and asks me what I’d do if I got an answer I didn’t like.

“Neil, you know there are some loves that never end, they might be delayed or slowed down but they always come through.”

He looks at me and says he has heard stalkers say similar things. I thank him for the support and he starts singing Holly Holy.

I look at him and he smiles, when she hears this and sees the truth in your eyes you’ll find the right words.

“But Neil, what if I don’t. What if I stutter and or say something dumb. What if I forget who I am and why I am there?”

“Brother, I have been there. Had a moment with a long lost lady love in ’68 and I have never forgiven myself. But you won’t, you’ll figure it out and she’ll hear you. Just be honest. Any fool can see you love her, don’t worry about the words. Just speak and she’ll hear you, more importantly, she’ll see you.”

I thank him for his help, he asks me for more details about how it all happened and how we came to be where we are.

“I don’t know what to say other than we found and lost each other multiple times.”

He asks me to explain how two people can find and lose each other and I tell him we have had parallel orbits and I see a chance for intersection.

“Brother, I am a singer, not an astrophysicist. Just lay it out in simple terms.”

The conversation goes all night and into the next day but by the time we are done we have a plan and I know it can work.

Later on I wake up and wonder if I have watched too many romantic comedies and read too many books.

And as I walk down the hall to take care of my morning needs I hear Holly Holy and I know I may be crazy, but I am on the right path.