Another Excerpt – 53 and imploding Kindle/Paperback
We have rich social lives – all those friends, all weaving their strands into that tapestry, changing and going their own ways. We have shared many seconds, many values and much fun. It would be so fine to go back and be there again. These memories are so flawed. I would like a taste of the real thing to savour one more time.
Events seen from different perspectives can seem incredibly dissimilar. Taken together could they possibly reveal a greater view of those seconds of reality? Would anything alter your own subjective experience? I hope not!
53 and imploding eBook : goodwin, opher: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
‘My Friend’
On this acoustic track, Roy demonstrates his finger-picking style, along with the use of harmonics. The song was written for Jackson C. Frank: a ground-breaking New York singer/songwriter who had a tragic past. He suffered horrendous burns in a school fire when a number of his friends were killed, including his girlfriend. Many years later, in 1964, after receiving a financial settlement, Jackson came to England on the Queen Elizabeth, with a Native American girlfriend. He is reputed to have written a superb set of songs on the journey, including ‘Blues Run The Game’. But this is open to debate as many of the songs were possibly written previously.
Jackson rapidly assimilated into the Les Cousins folk scene, along with fellow American Paul Simon. Jackson’s songwriting style had a profound impact on other musicians. He recorded only one album – simply titled Jackson C. Frank. Paul Simon produced it, with Al Stewart on second guitar. The album was a milestone for other folk singers and is now a classic.
Jackson and Roy became friends. They would hang out, getting stoned, laughing and pondering the meaning of life into the early morning hours. But Jackson was profligate with money and soon found himself penniless. Suffering stage fright and writer’s block – and with his mental health deteriorating – he eventually returned to New York.
‘My Friend’ is a heartfelt farewell and reminiscence of Roy and Jackson’s close relationship. The gold and silver of the lyric are the opening words of Jackson’s ‘Milk And Honey’: a song about leaving.
Roy sings with a mellow sadness as he recounts the depth of their friendship and the laughter they shared. He embellishes his poetic lyrics, creating a melancholic, affectionate melody over a bed of intricate guitar notes.
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Friendship
Sunshine entering the room,
Lightening one’s step,
Lifting spirits,
Directing mind.
Freedom.
Freedom to be yourself,
To say anything
With complete security.
Exchanging jokes,
Knowing smiles,
Understanding,
From shared experience.
At ease,
With light asides,
Deep argument,
Emanating from common history.
A past
A future
And a present.
Melting into cells,
Empowering strength
Donating energy
Pouring forth
In torrents of laughter.
Opher – 2.1.2020
Friends are for life even after they are no longer with us.
They do not have to be here. They can be distant or gone. But they are still inside you.
Friends are chemical. They change your brain like an addictive drug with no harmful effects. They propel you up.
They are family.
It was Cheryl who sparked these thoughts off.
As a Biologist I am always aware of what puppets we are to our genes, chemistry and psychology. We think we have free will but I believe it is largely a myth. We are ruled by our evolution.
As a species we are so new that our body chemistry and psychology hasn’t even begun to keep pace with our technology. We are chimps living in cities but acting like we are still in the jungle.
Friendship – such a crucial element for hunting. When you are out in the jungle with dangerous animals you have to put your trust in the friend next to you. Together, as a small hunting group, you can drive off a fearsome predator or make a kill that will feed the whole tribe. As a young hunter you had respect. Your friendship group of fellow hunters were trusted friends – you put your life in their hands; you faced danger and fear together; you bonded through terror. Your bravery and loyalty was crucial.
Now-a-days we see groups of youths in gangs on the streets in their hunting groups. Except there are no predators to ward off or beasts to kill. Yet they still crave the excitement and danger, still bond and seek the respect. They’ve lost their purpose and status.
Love – a biological phenomenon to pair bond sufficiently to have, and raise, children. An hormonal rush, endorphin saturation of the brain, and a passing phase. The female selects the highest status male she can. The aim is to find compatible genes to meld with her own in order to produce offspring who are endowed with the best in order to survive. The pair bonding is a euphoric rush of brain chemicals – no more. It induces feelings of protection and promotes crazy bouts of sex. The idea being that while the male is infatuated and the female hampered by pregnancy and an infant, he will protect and provide. But the love that will last forever soon loses its glow as after the duration necessary for the child to grow, the brain chemicals subside. A new infatuation develops with other potential partners – it is better no to put all your eggs in one basket (so to speak). A different set of genes provides more survival possibilities for a female’s offspring. Genetic variation. DNA testing in modern families show that a high proportion of children from supposedly loyal monogamous marriages have different fathers. Biologically we are programmed to be serial monogamists and some males more promiscuous (the cuckoo effect). Women are seduced by status.
Yet we also see that once the hormones and brain chemistry subsides there is the possibility of a different relationship – based on respect, affection, trust and ‘love’. It is deeper and less frenetic and brings pleasure and contentment. It is a different partnership.
This is a poem about love and friendship.
A Hand to Hold
I wish you always have a hand to hold
When the road is rough
And shadows jump;
An arm around your shoulder
When the wind bites
And dreams of loss sting the eyes:
Tender words to raise your spirits
When doubt erodes your hopes
To maroon you on the rocks;
And a friendly heart to share the joy,
Provide the warmth,
And generate the love,
That makes it all worthwhile.
10.2.2017
A Hand to Hold
It was the John Martyn song May You Always Have that inspired me to write this love song.
As we go through life we always need a partner, companion or friend to share the wonder and the rough times. Sharing makes everything better.
