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Meadowmuse
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since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263


0 posted 2000-08-24 12:27 PM




A Song for Scott

(written for my friend, Scott McKenzie)


I still see you in jeans
with your deep hazel eyes,
throwing head back in chorus,
face alight to the sky

And you're lost to the song
and alive in regale,
Four Strong Winds blowin' lonely,
dying miner's dark tale

It was Journeymen then
and your tenor was sweet
Lord, your hunger was strong
but you were dead on your feet

With a voice pulled from Heaven
and a heart put through Hell
You gave all that was in you
til The Journeymen fell

Then the theatre called
and you studied the stage
Working hard to be still
through a pivotal age

But when Monterey Popped
and John asked for a song
It was your San Francisco
brought the young folks along

Soon the Mamas and Papas
pulled you onto the road
All the world heard your voice
and for years how it flowed

But your heart, how it struggled
against haunts of the past
And those vile shoulder voices
vicious memories cast

And now ages have rolled
though the music remains
as each bittersweet day
binds the blood in our veins

And we share what forsakes us
and your hazel eyes light
My sweet Journeymen tenor
whispering into the night






© Copyright 2000 Meadowmuse - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2000-08-24 01:56 PM


O Claire, what memories...do we like the same music or what!?  Wonderful tribute to your friend...lucky guy!
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
2 posted 2000-08-24 02:05 PM


Lovely tribute and a great gift...

Claire,
your poetry is divine....

regards,
sudhir

Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

3 posted 2000-08-24 02:12 PM


wonderful tribute and poetry Claire...
and a magnificent tenor he was...
must admit I have never worn flowers in my hair...
(btw- excuse my fading memory in my old age..
did he write Kokomo?)

Auguste
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since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
4 posted 2000-08-24 02:24 PM


Claire,

What a wonderful tribute to such a great talent and dear friend...I hope Scott has seen it...

Michael





Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

5 posted 2000-08-24 02:29 PM


Sunshine, thank you    It was an eclectic era of music that cannot be matched, to be sure. Thanks for saying he's lucky...I feel pretty lucky, too. He's a neat fella.

Sudhir,  and your responses, divine, kind sir. I know this is much different from my usual work, but I thought I'd give it a try. Of course, he harassed me the whole way through it, but somehow I managed to finish. He has yet to see it in its entirety...hope he likes it.  

Mike, what?? No flowers?? Did you go to Monterey Pop?    Yes, actually Scott co~wrote Kokomo with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. He and I have been working on a children's book together, though we're in something of a hiatus at present, due to the fact that both of us have ADD and cannot remember what we were writing about.    Thanks for reading, my friend.

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
6 posted 2000-08-24 02:45 PM


Such a sweet song you have penned for your friend
JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
7 posted 2000-08-24 05:08 PM


Since you know Scott McKenzie this is my perfect opportunity to let him know that one of my favorite songs of all time in "If your going to San Francisco."  His rich voice made that a beautiful song that will last forever...enjoyed the whisper of this poem Claire...a joy to read...James
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

8 posted 2000-08-24 06:05 PM


Michael, hi...well, as you know, he's seen "part" of it, but still hasn't seen the finished poem. Tonight, probably. Thank you, my friend, for reading, and for all your encouragement.

Paula...thank you so much. Scott's a pretty sweet friend.  

James, I will certainly pass along your message to Scott. Yes, "San Francisco" will most surely last forever, won't it? Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this, and for the sweet way you have of telling me.  

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
9 posted 2000-08-24 06:59 PM


Though in year 69 I was only six... I was diggin the sounds of the Mamas & Papas... The Association... The Hollies... Blood Sweat & Tears... Three Dog Night... The Byrds... and the list goes on and on and on...

Well I might not be wearing flowers in my hair but I'm hip to the feeling. Peace to you and Scott from this here Scott.  

Jenn E
Senior Member
since 2000-08-02
Posts 589
Kelowna, BC, Canada
10 posted 2000-08-24 07:11 PM


Beautiful tribute, what a good friend he has in you. I am sure he knows that though.  
Jenn E

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

11 posted 2000-08-24 09:39 PM


Andrew, thanks for the nice words. I was a just a wee folk myself back then, and also grew up listening to the music of the sixties (and before) as I had a young mother and older siblings.  Peace returned.

Jenn, thank you so much. We truly are blessed to be friends, and believe me, we're always reminding each other of the fact.    Thanks again for reading tonight.

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Sven
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since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
12 posted 2000-08-24 10:12 PM


Claire,
       just wonderful. . . a special tribute from a special person. . .

--------------------------------------------------------

That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
13 posted 2000-08-24 11:52 PM


Smiling very broadly here....what a wonderful tribute, I only have one question though....why can't I have friends like that?
Seriously, I think you both are very lucky...lovely poem Claire  

Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2000-08-25 12:35 PM


Claire--You have taken me back to a time when I was more than a tot..it was my time and the music was mine...still is...what a wonderful loving tribute to a music man.
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

15 posted 2000-08-25 09:54 AM


Sven, kind of different for me, and not really a proper "song" exactly, but just a way of giving him a little something handmade, as it were. Thanks for your sweet words, my friend...  

Ruth, thank you for the smile this morning!    

Martie, what a great age for music, you know? I'm glad this took you back a bit.      Thank you!

~ Claire




Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

16 posted 2000-08-25 10:27 PM


This is absolutely beautiful, Claire. A lovely tribute to Scott. I'm sure he'll love the finished product when he sees it!  

Denise

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

17 posted 2000-08-26 12:06 PM


Hi Denise ~ Thanks very much for your encouraging words!  

~ Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
18 posted 2000-08-26 07:53 AM


Claire~
Oh, what a wonderful nostalgic trip !

I regressed and confess to picking flower petals out of my tresses.
What a moment !

Who could ever forget the resonance of Scott's voice in that classic ?
Not I ?

Wonderful render and I'm betting he loves it !
Thank you, poet ...
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
19 posted 2000-08-26 07:56 AM


Whoopsie daisy ...
forgot to say,
I LOVED this line -

'With a voice pulled from Heaven
and a heart put through Hell'


I did !
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



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