
When I was 17 years old in 1965, I went on one of the most memorable dates of my life. This was the first time I heard the poem by John Donne that sparked the song. We lived in Jersey, an hour or two from NYC. The drinking age was 18 then which still had me underage so we were sober. (I got carded everywhere until I was 25.) Anyway we had tickets to a old fashion vaudeville show in “The City” which turned out to be very entertaining and quite great. We walked and talked and laughed and watched the people. Dinner came from street vendors, serenaded by the life and energy of New York. As it got later, time came to go back to the car……but where exactly did we leave it? We walked and walked and still could not find it. Somehow we ended up in the Bowery section and gained a walking companion. Granted he was an old drunk but a learned, interesting one who spoke to us of the preciousness of young love and life and truth. His oration of this poem brought tears to my eyes. In retrospect, what is most impressive craziness was that I was barefoot- my fancy heels were in my hand by then. Oh yes, we turned a corner and our friend was gone but we had found the car.
No Man is an Island by John Donne
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
John Donne
Reblogged this on Ginny Bauman Posts.
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Sorry for not visiting sooner, for some reason your posts aren’t showing up in my reader! That must have been an epic date—I love these great “Only in New York” stories.
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My reader is also not behaving as I might expect. There are folks I follow who do not appear in the blogs I follow and ones that appear in the reader that I don’t follow. New York is one of a kind- my 24 yr old daughter lives in the city now- making her own stories.
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Great story! How did I miss it?
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Timing- it’s all about timing.
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Love it.
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Barefoot on the streets of new york with major blisters!
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I’m ashamed to say I’ve heard of this poem but never read it. Now I know exactly where those last two lines come from.
That date was definitely one to remember fondly.
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Next time you hear someone say “For whom the bells tolls” you will know the answer.
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I’ve given you the Sunshine Blog Award. http://bringingeuropehome.com/2012/07/18/is-there-an-award-for-procrastination/
Even if awards are not your thing, please know that I enjoy your site.
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I appreciate your choosing me for a Sunshine Blog Award.
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My pleasure.
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Had a little sniffle there – what a lovely story…that makes me feel my rather ridiculous thoughts that New York is as magic as in the movies are not all unfounded. 🙂
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Growing up near NYC was kind-of magic. My father commuted in each day by train after we moved to jersey from the city but we went in often. I did not realize how special the sights and sounds were until I had lived other places and heard people talk about their growing up. Hard to believe it was so many years ago.
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A lovely story, and thanks for reminding me of this poem – I’m a great fan of John Donne.
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After this experience I have been a fan for life. It amazes me the number of ways to look at or express key concepts like love and joy. Seems like perhaps a dream I had but it wa my early life.
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A wonderful story and a wonderful post, Mae!
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Ah youth- so fleeting but still young at heart.
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Great story!
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Memories like the shadows of our minds…..the way we were. I’m glad I was there.
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That’s a great story of your incredible date. It’s amazing where we find deep wisdom in our lives. Thanks for sharing it!
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It is amazing were we find wisdom and with enough open-heartedness to appreciate it. Blessings to Alan wherever he might be.
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