I just got my memory jogged by the meaning of life.. A contradictory view, I will admit. But life is contradictory..
Sometimes I think it is as spelled out by this poet::
<<He was an old-time cowboy, don’t you understand his eyes were sharp as razor blades his face was leather tan his toes were pointed inward from a-hangin’ on a horse..
He was so thin I swear you could have used him for a whip he had to drink a beer to keep his britches on his hips I knew I had to ask him about the mysteries of life he spit between his boots and he replied
It’s faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money
He smiled and all his teeth were covered with tobacco stains he said, it don’t do men no good to pray for peace and rain. peace and rain is just a way to say prosperity, and buffalo chips is all it means to me.
I told him I was a poet, I was lookin’ for the truth I do not care for horses, whiskey, women or the loot I said I was a writer, my soul was all on fire he looked at me an’ he said, you are a liar.
It’s faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money
Well, I was disillusioned, if I say the least I grabbed him by the collar and I jerked him to his feet there was something cold and shiny layin’ by my head so I started to believe the things he said
Well, my poet days are over and I’m back to being me as I enjoy the peace and comfort of reality if my boy ever asks me what it is that I have learned I think that I will readily affirm
It’s faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money (repeat 2x)>> Tom T Hall..
Sometimes I think it is this when I am more mellow by the same poet:
OLD DOGS AND CHILDREN AND WATERMELLON WINE
How old do you think I am he said
Well I told him I didn't know
I was sitting in Miami pouring blended whiskey down
When this old grey black gentleman was cleaning up the lounge
There wasn't anyone around but this old man and me
The guy tending bar was watching Ironsides on tv
Uninvited he sat down and opened up his mind
On old dogs and children and watermellon wine
Have you ever had a drink of watermellon wine he asked
He told me all about it even though I didn't answer back
Ain't but three things in life that's worth a solitary dime
That's old dogs and children and watermellon wine
He said women think about themselves when their menfolk aren't around
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down
He said I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime
Now it's old dogs and children and watermellon wine
He said old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes
God bless little children while they're still too young to hate
As he moved away I got my pen and copied down that line
On old dogs and children and watermellon wine
I had to catch a plane up to Atlanta the next day
As I left for my room I saw him picking up my change
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summer times
Of old dogs and children and watermellon wine
- Tom T. Hall
I guess the above spells it out for me depending on my mood...
Sometimes, Always sometimes.. <g>
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