I have a battered old soft-sided briefcase that was made in Hong Kong before some of you were born. I bought it to carry my Army stuff in, hauled it around the globe while I did my time with Uncle Sam.
There’s no army stuff in there any more. That all got replaced with other stuff over time.
Now that briefcase is filled with music and poetry and copyright certificates. Demo tapes from when I was going to be a famous musician. Guitar sonatinas and interludes. Doodlings and drawings. Clumsy attempts at art by a naive young man who would turn into a naive old man as the years rolled by.
A pile of raggedy old memories that sits in its hiding place, high up on a closet shelf.
I put those memories aside to do other things, but lately that briefcase has been calling to me, demanding that I remember. The demands got louder and louder, until I finally gave in to the urge, dragged that old briefcase down and started digging through it.
One piece in particular was trying hard to get my attention, a little ditty I wrote so long ago I couldn’t remember all the words. I pulled it out, looked it over, and everything came back to me.
I remembered.
*****
To Lori Anne
You’re born for the living
You live for the dying
And you die for the living again
That’s the way the river runs
Lori Anne
You hold out your heart
To the broken down people
Hoping that they’ll understand.
That’s the way the river runs
Lori Anne
You pour out your life like a drink of cool water
And it’s soaked up like rain on dry sand
For the empty’s so great there’s no way you can fill it
The river runs on
Through a desolate land
Lori Anne
Don’t ever lose sight of your dream
Lori Anne
Keep reaching
Keep trying
Keep your heart in the stream
You’re born for the living
You live for the dying
And you die for the living again
That’s the way the river runs
Lori Anne
*****
Huh. It’s ethereal and maybe a bit nebulous, but even after all the time that’s passed, I still like it.
Well, enough reminiscing.
It’s time to put that old briefcase back in its hiding place up on the closet shelf. Those musty old memories will stay tucked away there, safe from any nosing and prying until the next time they call out to me.
But I remember, all right.
I remember.
Kozo said:
I’m so happy this piece called to you, Tim. I love the imagery and the surprise change in the third stanza. Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory.
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Stan R. Mitchell said:
Wow. That’s some serious deep stuff. And I normally don’t dig poetry — or maybe it was a song — but that really sang to me.
I’ve often wondered about “reaching” and “trying,” as you wrote above….
While I know my dreams are far-fetched and will almost certainly not be reached, I also have this increasingly strong belief that as long as they live, I live. And when it’s dark and I doubt more than I should, and when I consider saying “To hell with it, I’m giving up,” I shudder as I imagine my life with no dreams.
So, I’ll keep dreaming and letting my friends and family members think I’m crazy, because I’ve glimpsed their lives, and it’s a burden far heavier than the extra weight I’m trying to bear.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Stan. I can get pretty far out there, and it’s a big compliment that you enjoyed it.
Push on, Stan. Shift the weight up higher on your shoulders, lean into it, and push on.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Glad you liked it. 🙂
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Kozo said:
Yeah, Tim. Freshly Pressed. Well-deserved. I’m so stoked for you and Lori Anne.
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puiyinlab said:
Another memoir piece. Beautiful.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
So glad you liked it. Does this old heart good. 🙂
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puiyinlab said:
Have you thought about writing a book based on your adventures traveling around the globe with your Army case? I think It would be a really good read. Just a thought 🙂 Hope you will share more.
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letizia said:
I hope you’ll dig through that briefcase again soon. It’s always fascinating to find old treasures. Almost like someone else wrote them but, at the same time, so familiar.
I love the lyrics (to me it read like a song…. I “sang” them in my head, not sure what they were to you).
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T. W. Dittmer said:
It is a song, written in one sharp.
Once in while I just can’t help myself, and I’ll go back there.
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Zen A. said:
You should bring out that briefcase more often; that was a lovely poem, Tim. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Zen. Makes me smile that you liked it. 🙂
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
I am left wondering who Lori Anne is/was…and you don’t have to answer, that’s the beauty of the lyrics/writing..leaves me pondering 😉
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T. W. Dittmer said:
🙂 I try to be as confusing as I can be.
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
ha ha ha 🙂 I confuse without trying hard enough!
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
congratulations on the freshly pressed TW 🙂 awesome…
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Maddie Cochere said:
I really enjoy when you post pieces like this, Tim. Thanks for sharing.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Maddie. It means a lot to me when really smart people like you enjoy my ramblings.
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Maddie Cochere said:
I’m so happy to see you’ve been Freshly Pressed, Tim. This was a lovely piece for the world to see. I also hope some of your new visitors will be drawn to The Valley Walker. I’d hug you if I was there. 😉
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I’m smiling pretty big. Makes me happy that somebody liked it. Thanks for being you, Maddie.
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Britt Skrabanek said:
I’m with Letizia and Zen…bring out that briefcase more! Loved your amazing song.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much, Britt. You’ve got me smiling over here. 🙂
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elroyjones said:
I liked it so much I wanted to cry.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Gee thanks. It’s another moldy oldie, from back in the day. 😉
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kai said:
It’s always a treasure to find old stuff. You remember who you were. And you don’t feel so lost anymore.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I don’t think I ever feel lost. I’m here, and that’s good enough for me. Sometimes, though, I like to remember where I’ve been. 🙂
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sportsandthecross said:
I know I have many things that bring back memories…it is so fun to see what pops into your head when you see certain things. Great post, and congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
There’s no telling what’ll come out. 😉 Thanks a lot.
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Margarita said:
The balm of remembrance…thanks for sharing!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
It is a balm, at times. My pleasure to share. 🙂
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Mikalee Byerman said:
Such moving words — your post and your poem! One of my favorite things while cleaning out old spaces is finding scraps of my former life in written prose…I love remembering what was important to me then, placing it in context of my current life. Definitely provides interesting perspective…
Thank you for sharing this!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Bits and pieces, things that never really went away but got shifted around inside us.
Thanks for stopping by, Mikalee.
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beklane said:
The wonderful thing about the world of blogging is accidentally stumbling across posts like this one!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much. I’m glad you liked it, and hope you get your iPad for Christmas. 🙂
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robincoyle said:
This is awesome Tim!!! Congratulations to you for being Freshly Pressed. What a lovely piece to share with the world. So happy for you and so happy I can call you my friend.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Friend. That really makes me smile. Thanks, Robin.
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segmation said:
I believe that Lori Anne will always be with you whereever you go and she is with you in spirit! Thanks for sharing.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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segmation said:
Thanks! http://www.segmation.wordpress.com
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Gregory Garland said:
Cycling’s for cyclers. recycleinig’s for us conserving stuff. I hope you feel blessed during this holiday season. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks for stopping in, Gregory. Hope you enjoyed it. A great holiday season to you too. 🙂
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mdprincing said:
it seems with each passing year I find myself sitting quietly somewhere in the house looking quizzedly at a box, bag or briefcase that represents a period in my life. I dig through the papers and folders, pictures and artifacts as if I am Indiana Jones looking for the Arc. I enjoy some of the emotions and memories that rush over me when I discover a lost jewel, many times a precious memory of a far ago time
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T. W. Dittmer said:
This one was a gem to me, and I hope it was for you. Thanks for stopping by.
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SocietyRed said:
This is so great. I’m so glad you got the spotlight so I could see this. Congrats!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks. Entirely my pleasure.
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potterfan97 said:
Wow, that was lovely. Thanks for sharing!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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mikafry said:
Thanks for sharing. I like the simplicity of your words and the depth they convey. I especially like your song’s refrain. Enjoy the rest of your journey before you, as you so wisely say, die for the living again.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
The wheel keeps turning.
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Pingback: The Freshly Pressed Hangover | T. W. Dittmer
obliviontimebomb said:
That was marvelous. I seem to appreciate it even more looking at your technique, it’s close to flawless.
It was an absolutely splendid read and stirs a strong flood of emotions.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
It makes me happy that you enjoyed it. 🙂
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diannegray said:
Beautiful memories! Congrats on the FP 😀
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Dianne.
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antoinettemsmut said:
The rhythm is lovely, a very lyrical piece. Thanks for sharing it.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
So glad you like it. Makes my day.
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Dan said:
I like that poem very much. Thank you for sharing it. Nebulous is Okay. Better than tying it up with something less authentic.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Dan. Very glad you like it. 🙂
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runoffwriter said:
This is, hands down, the best thing I have read in a long, long time. Beautiful. You are quite a talent. Congratulations on being FP…so glad I found this!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Boy, that makes me feel good. Thanks!
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Sasha Lynn said:
Love this. I didn’t find it all that nebulous. It pulled at my heart and made me wish my name was Lori Anne. Thank you for sharing.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
So glad you liked it. It has always yanked at me, too.
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madiebeartri said:
Speaking of briefcases…I sitll have the briefcase I bought over thirty years ago to carry my Air Force stuff in. 🙂 It is filled with all kinds of goodies from the past including a few poems. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Maybe you should drag it out and rummage through it. Kinda fun sometimes. Not always, but sometimes.
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La La said:
This is touching. I think we all have that thing with the memories that stirs nostalgia. You just prompted a little bit of my own “real” creative writing.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks. 🙂
I’ll be watching for it, but don’t knock the every day side of writing. It’s real life. It’s who we are.
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Carla B said:
Thank you for sharing, this is a piece of beautiful writing. The first two lines of the third stanza especially stand out to me.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much for the compliment, Carla. Yes, the first two lines of the third stanza is my favorite part too.
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Erik Gustafson said:
Really enjoyed that piece! I need to come around more often.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I know everybody’s busy, Erik. No worries. Glad to have to you stop by, man. 🙂
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nusukikisuuke said:
Wow 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much.
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Dannie Hill said:
Not sure how I missed this one, but I’m glad for your latest post! I’ve alays thought that writing paint pictures but poets give power to words. Your poem was power!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Dannie. My best to you, man.
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jiltaroo said:
Lovely Tim. I must say I have just dragged an old box of letter and diaries out myself. They are special and will always be a part of me….just like your memories. Congratulations on being freshly pressed! Jen
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Jen. You never know what will come from digging through those memories. 😉
Thanks for stopping in. Enjoying your site.
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Julie Chicklitasaurus said:
Love it! You’re very talented.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Awww, you. Blushin’ over here. 🙂
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Naomi Baltuck said:
Beautiful!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks. Glad you liked it. Makes me smile. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Reblogged this on T. W. Dittmer and commented:
This post was dubbed “Fresh Pressed” by the people at WordPress. It was on my mind, so I decided to share it again.
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Book Club Mom said:
Oh wow, Tim, this is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this song. You are very talented 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thank you so much, Barbara. I’m really glad you liked it! ❤
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