Friday, December 30, 2005

Aretha

"John, stop messing with the speakers and listen to me a minute."
"You’re gonna love this song, Theresa. I can’t believe I haven’t played it for you before."

"John, don’t start the song yet. I need to talk to you."
"Hey, light that joint I rolled earlier. It’ll be better that way."
"John, I can’t keep doing this."
"Did I tell you she was only 17 years old when she recorded this?"
"John, I’m unhappy."
"Shhh, now listen. Her voice is fucking amazing. This is going to knock you on your ass."
"John, don’t you notice that I cry all the time?"
"Okay, this is the part … right here … listen for it."
"John, this isn’t working with us. I’m miserable, and half the time you are too."
"Did you hear that? Otis never sang it like that."
"John, I can’t be here anymore."
"What did you do with that joint?"
"What?"
"Christ, I’m gonna start it over. Sit down. You really have to hear this."
"Yeah ... sure, John ...."
"Why are you sitting by the window?"
"I like the rain."


I may get weary
Women do get weary
Wearing the same shabby dress
But to one who's weary
Try a little tenderness

She may be waiting
Just anticipating
All of the things
She may never possess
But while she's waiting
Try a little tenderness

I may be sentimental
But I've had my grief's
And my cares
And just a good word
Soft and gentle
Makes it, makes it
So much easier to bear

She might forget it
Oh but don't let her forget it
Love's got a whole
A whole happiness
'Cause it's so easy
Try a little tenderness
Oh it's so very easy
It's so very easy
Try a little
Try a little
Try a little
Try a little
Try a little
Try a little, try a little
Won't you
'Cause it's so very easy
So very easy
Won't you try
Try a little tender -
Tenderness

19 Comments:

At 1:34 AM, Blogger Larry Jones said...

Tender hugs from me, sweetheart...

 
At 7:41 AM, Blogger Chick said...

Is there irony there?

Tenderness & hugs from me too...

Happy New Year!

 
At 8:21 AM, Blogger BlazngScarlet said...

One of my favorite songs ....

I'm sending you much love, and giving you ginormous hugs T.

 
At 8:31 AM, Blogger Bougie Black Boy said...

Ah... theresa...
:(
This was beautifully sad. . . Your ability to capture human emotion is amazing.

 
At 9:39 AM, Blogger ZooooM said...

I've tried to type a comment about 30 different ways, but nothing seems appropriate.

As always, and as SEJII says, you capture human emotion so well. Even when it's one of the most painful things in the world.

I admire your strength and just your you-ness. That probably makes no sense.

 
At 10:47 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I've always loved this song - although I can't hear it without thinking of Bull Durham -
Ohh she may be woolly, young girls they do get woolly..."


I may not be able to ease the pain, but maybe I can encourage a smile and reassure your strength.

Happy New Year kiddo
May the coming year find us all
a little healthier, a little weathlier and much wiser

 
At 11:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right hand on left shoulder.
Left hand on right shoulder.
Sqeeze.

 
At 11:37 AM, Blogger Julie said...

Often when I read your writing, I want to know you better. I want to know just what you are talking about so that I can offer more than "I'm thinking of you" or "I'm sorry" or "I think you're lovely"

 
At 1:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's another one -

Close your eyes and I'll hold you here
It's all right if you're feelin' scared
It's just the sound of your aching heart
You've hurt for so long inside the dark
Now you can cry for the world out there
Come inside and I'll kiss your tears
It's still the sound tearing you apart
Loving out loud with only half a heart

I'll stay with you
I'll stay with you
I won't leave you alone
I'll stay with you yes I want to
Make your pain my own
And if you need me all night or until I grow old
No you don't have to ask me to
I'm gonna take good care of you
Yes I'm gonna stay with you

I'll be right at your fingertips
Hold on tight and we'll get through this
Angels are calling from all around
Lifting what's broken comforting what is bound
Now you can rest in your time of need
I am here when it's hard to breathe
If you can't remember what is good anymore
I will surrender and kick down heaven's door

 
At 3:59 PM, Blogger Margaret said...

holdin you...

peace...

 
At 7:50 PM, Blogger Aisha T. said...

Here's a little tenderness, sweets! Happy New Year!

 
At 8:36 PM, Blogger Theresa said...

Larry - Your hugs are good, babe.

Chick - Irony? I think that's why it Thanks for the hugs & happy to you too.

Dick - Hey! You're gonna squeeze the b'jeezuz outta me with that big of a hug ;) How'd ya know I like it like that?

Blaze - Huggin & lovin' backatcha, sweets!

Stephen - It becomes more beautiful than sad when the story is laid out on the page instead of rolling around in my head.
Also, if you haven't noticed, I'm learning things from you.

Zooomster - Having a friend like you to share mutual adoration with, is a wonderful thing.

Al - I forgot all about the Bull Durham reference. That's a funny thing. You're a wonderful friend who makes me smile a lot.

Laurie - Thank you. Hugging you back, Sweets!

Popeye - I kinda felt that. Thanks!

Julie - Hmmm... you can always ask, or just say how it makes you feel, and I always appreciate your support.
If it helps, the non-conversation I described above is a fairly accurate representation of a real experience I had with a lover over 16 years ago. If that tells you how I was feeling then, you know how I was feeling when I wrote it down last night. That's not always how I write, but mostly.

Erin - It's a lonely place to be, huh?

Anon - Thank you. That's too wonderful not to own it. Who are you?

Monkey - Thanks, sweetheart.

Aisha - Thank you, Love! Happy New Year to you too.

 
At 10:15 PM, Blogger Jayne said...

Guess that's why he's a *former* lover . . . it's raining here now, which emphasized your melancholy words and mood. Sigh. Hugs from me, too, babe.

 
At 12:37 PM, Blogger Steve said...

Sad, that he was listening to a different tune...not intune with you.

Refrains always deterritorialize us...always move us...its labor is the difference between noise and sound.

"Shhh, now listen. Her voice is fucking amazing. This is going to knock you on your ass."

Shhh...won't it have been nice, if he could have been talking about the voice he used to hear so distinctly? Now, he is saying, 'don't make a noise.'

That soft voice that whispered in his ear; the one that, for a while, never left his head? The sweet refrain that very few people ever get to hear; because it's live, not recorded.

If he would just listen: wouldn't that voice knock him on his ass once again? Only Theresa knows...but, I suspect the answer is: Yes... Affirmative!

"He who has ears to hear...let him hear."

 
At 12:50 PM, Blogger Theresa said...

Jayne - Rain ... sometimes cold and sad, sometimes warm and cleansing. Thanks, Sweetcheeks!

Steve - You hear a lot, my friend. The "he" of the story is as hopelessly deaf as the past. The "he" of the present ... I'm not entirely sure who he is. Maybe he's me?

 
At 3:20 PM, Blogger Steve said...

Then, just be sure to listen! :+)

 
At 7:57 PM, Blogger Polyman2 said...

Hey Theresa...
um...it's me
your new bud,
Polyman2-
For what it's worth;
Your OK in my book,
live your life &
be strong in
for the new year.

 
At 8:40 AM, Blogger AndyT13 said...

On an unrelated topic I've been meaning to tell you how much I LOVE LOVE LOVES me your new profile pic. Sah-NAZZY!
Happy New Year T. I'm still a mess but life goes on. Cheers!

 
At 11:45 AM, Blogger Bougie Black Boy said...

Learning things from me?
I'm learning from you!!! :)

 

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