Summer Song #31... Are You Alright?

"If you don't like what you're doing, you can always pick up your needle & move to another groove."  

Timothy Leary

I have a personal challenge to do a post every day. Yesterday, Friday, August 5th, I took a day off from life, not all that easy to do. Actually, life skirted around the edges of my day: a dog walk, a trip to the market, driving The Husband to an errand & an obligation. Yet, my only agenda was not to have any agenda. I grabbed a vacation day from my job & I dropped out, tuned in & turned on... well, not actually, because I am too old: I drooped down, tuned out & turned around.

I allowed myself one of my infrequent "Steve Days". I spent 8+ hours alone, but for the 3 terriers, on a perfect summer Friday, cool & cloudy in the morning burning off to brilliant sunlight & 80 degrees in the afternoon. I did not open the computer, I didn't turn on the TV, I amused myself with a dilly-dally around the garden, & went with an indifference to reality & gave myself over to just being, breathing & blithely breezing through an August afternoon.  Can you indulge my indulgence?

I want you to understand, dear reader, the only time I have been terribly lonely has been in the company of other people & I am never bored. I barely know boredom. We have hundreds of books, thousands of CDs, we subscribe to 15 magazines & receive nearly every channel offered by the evil Comcast. Yet, to be solitary & silent does not bring me dullness or desolation.

In the evening,the escape ended with an explosion of an "AM classic rock" station at full volume & the loaded laughter & whooping of my wasted white trash next door neighbor- Dan & the company he keeps, on his patio. The Husband arrived home defeated & drowning in stress. I went to bed early, hanging on to the shadow & shade of my afternoon respite from reality.

Are you all right?

All of a sudden you went away

Are you all right?

I hope you come back around someday.

Are you all right?

I haven't seen you in a real long time.

Are you all right?

Could you give me some kind of sign?

Are you all right?

I looked around me & you were gone.

Are you all right?

I feel like there must be something wrong.

Are you all right?

Cause it seems like you disappeared.

Are you all right?

Cause I've been feeling a little scared.

Are you all right?

Are you sleeping through the night?

Do you have someone to hold you tight?

Do you have someone to hang out with?

Do you have someone to hug & kiss you?

Hug & kiss you

Hug & kiss you

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

Is there something been bothering you?

Are you all right?

I wish you'd give me a little clue.

Are you all right?

Is there something you want to say?

Are you all right?

Just tell me that you're OK.

Are you all right?

Cause you took off without a word.

Are you all right?

You flew away like a little bird.

Are you all right?

Is there anything I can do?

Are you all right?

Cause I need to hear from you.

Are you all right?

Are you sleeping through the night?

Do you have someone to hold you tight?

Do you have someone to hang out with?

Do you have someone to hug & kiss you?

Hug & kiss you

Hug & kiss you

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

Lucinda Williams

2008