For the last six months or so I have been taking care of my grandson’s cat while he moves and gets settled. The cat is a tabby named Kit. Yes, a cat named Kit.
We get along very well and he is the best cat in the whole world. (I can say that because my cat, TazMo, died years ago at the old age of 17). If it weren’t for the fact that I am allergic to most pets this would be a great thing. He spends all day trying to rub his scent on me and I spend most of the day trying to wash it off!
It was on one of the more boring days with me just looking at the cat – and he looking at me – that I came up with the idea for a poem. In two seconds I thought about making it a children’s story – that turned into lyrics and you know me – a song. I actually read it to him now while I pet him. But I also decided it would be fun to read my poetry for a pod post. Here is my first, and out of order Poetry POD reading called, ‘The Cat”……
If you are standing around With nothing to do: Pet the Cat. When both your hands are empty Your mind is a blank.
When the weather is bad Everyone’s feeling blue, Pet the Cat. If it’s a beautiful day And you don’t know who to thank: Pet the Cat.
You got nothin’ else better to do. The only one you’re foolin’ is you. So much wasted time at that. You should have Pet the Cat.
Alone and feeling down The day just won’t end? Pet the Cat. In for the holidays Relatives are such a bore.
When you open your mouth All you do is offend. Pet the Cat. The story seems longer Than 100 times before, Pet the Cat. Pet the Cat. Pet the Cat. Pet the Cat.
Everyone is snoring You can’t get to sleep? Pet the Cat. Just want to close your eyes And forget about the day?
Can’t get out of this one Dug yourself in too deep. Pet the Cat. Want to be noble And look clever and wise? Pet the Cat. Pet the Cat. Pet the Cat. Pet the Cat.
You got nothin’ else better to do. The only one you’re foolin’ is you. So much wasted time at that. You should have Pet the Cat.
I know you are still playing games And cannot see what I’ve lost.
For too many, the tab gets paid by others.
For you, There is no Cost.
Pull up to another table Grab a fancy pair of dice. You don’t need anyone Let alone their advice.
Black is black and everything in between What’s left is a white that blinds like the sun. Defended by lies no choice but to go on There’ll be many more before this song is done.
I know you are still playing games And cannot see what I’ve lost.
For too many, the tab gets paid by others. For you, There is no Cost. For you, There is no cost There is no Cost.
I have been busy and quite productive in spite of the world moving as fast as ever as I slow down. next year I will be 70, so everything I do takes a bit longer these days.
I have a few songs, a lot of poetry , some photos and a couple outside projects to show for it.
Here is a new song I can blame on too much time to think in between projects. Some darker themes throughout. More to come if I can find the time, even if the descriptions and personal stories are shorter than I usually aim for. Thanks for your understanding.
11 2 2022
Pot makes me paranoid Alcohol makes me cry. If you ask me a question I’ll want to know the reason why.
If we could do this all over again
It Wouldn’t Be the Same.
I’ve loved you forever
But it’s driving me insane.
Friends we know are complicated
And rarely ever try.
I told you I will love you,
Until the day I die. Until the day that I die.
Life becomes precious to those
Who see what lies ahead.
Each day becomes very special
For those who know they’ll soon be dead.
Take the time, the time is now
To look what’s inside your head.
I tell you over and over again
But you ignore what I’ve said.
Trying to force my thoughts into rhymes I’ve started over too many times. Lost my way more often than I can count Paying for the future from an empty account.
I lived in a palace that is now Smoldering ash and dust. I thought I was a Man of Steel Turns out I’m a bucket of rust.
Running down-hill you can only go so fast Falling head first, now your feet aren’t the last. Told a good story, played the main part Some if it science, some of it art.
I lived in a palace that is gone Smoldering ash and dust. I thought I was a Man of Steel Turns out I am a bucket of rust.
Sometimes you are forced to gamble Usually there is no preamble. For some it’s fun to shop until you drop For me it was just impossible to stop.
I thought I was a Man of Steel What’s left is a bucket of rust.
I stole the main theme from my older brother. He would often say he thought he was a man of steel but looking around he saw a bucket of rust. He was a wrestler and chess player in school…. an avid reader and ready for any challenge. Even after his third stroke and 2nd seizure this year, he remembers his wrestling days in high school more clearly than many other accomplishments. It is plagiarism, but he is my brother so I think I can get away with it this time.
A common topic shared on this platform as I reach 70 years old.
Another friend of mine has died unexpectedly. He was ten years younger than me. My posts have bragged about the people I have met over the years, and he is one of the special ones. Jay Aronoff truly loved music…. in all it’s forms, but he made it his own. Life had it’s struggles but he always had time for good friends.
Son of former Ohio Senator Stan Aronoff but he chose his own path. I met him when I worked at a local music store chain. I managed the store and he was a guitar instructor. Even when he was not in a lesson, the guitar was strapped around his shoulder and he encouraged impromptu renditions of our favorite prog-rock songs. He was easy to love.
Jay was stunned I had never had a cup of coffee. He persisted until I had my first and only cup of coffee with him. It wasn’t that bad but not as good as the smell of fresh ground coffee in the old grocery stores so I decided to stick with tea!
I did a video of Jay’s band Mara performing live. My wife Ellen and I did all the camera work on two separate nights, and I did the post production video and timing by ear. In memory of Jay Aronoff, here are links to that video filmed in 1988:
I also have some lyrics to share with all who knew Jay, and those who know me:
This is all Unpredictable The end to a terrible day. A phone call from another friend; This would be the last day with Jay.
He was a very special soul Who bound so many together. I thought he’d be the one To remember us forever.
Jay had his demons to face I’m sure he faced many alone. None of that matters today Because from now on, Jay is gone.
This is all UnPredictable The cruelty cannot be more clear This would be the last day with Jay. So I raised another glass of beer.
This is all UnPredictable The cruelty cannot be more clear This would be the last day with Jay. So I raised a glass of beer.
MidiMike 