David Lee Rotten
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The Streets Where We Live

9/2/2014

1 Comment

 

Years ago Lerner & Loewe wrote a song for My Fair Lady they titled "On the Street Where You Live".
For some reason, this song has been running through my thoughts of late. I realize it has to do with the male
star 'mooning' over the street on which his love lives. But I have been relating this phrase to the many streets 
on which I've lived.

I'm thinking of similarities and differences. Noisy and quiet. Beautiful and not. Maples and palms. Bougain-
villea and buttercups. Creeks and oceans. Lizards and ground hogs. One sound the same.

I grew up on a farm with a country road running between the house and barn. It was a busy road with 
speeding cars and trucks. Many a poor, unsuspecting animal killed there, much to the dismay of the five 
children growing up on that dairy farm. I recall, vividly, crossing that road to get to my dad on the other side; 
glancing up to see a huge truck bearing down on me! A spanking awaited when I reached my destination. I 
lived there over 19 years. One sound the same. Then the journey began.

A back street in a small town after the wedding. A street in Key West, Florida across from the Presidential 
Gate. I could hear the conductors on the Conch Train pointing out the gate to the never-ending stream of 
tourists. Back to the farm for a short while. In the heart of Long Beach, California for 3 weeks; so much street
noise. Then to a complex in San Pedro away from the street noise. National City, back to the country, Chula 
Vista and a street in the suburbs. Nine more moves and nine more streets and I'm finally on a quiet street by 
a park and a vacant lot. The sound of barking dogs and occasional traffic. One sound the same.

After the third or fourth move, I noticed something that was always present; east coast, gulf coast, west coast 
and anywhere in between. Mourning doves. That sad, poignant cooing.  When I was a child, I thought of 
them as 'morning' doves. When I learned the correct spelling, I was even more intrigued by their lonesome 
call. I began listening for the sound everywhere I landed. They've always graced my new home with their 
peaceful voices. Every vacation spot, anyplace I go, they are with me and they make me happy. One sound
the same.
1 Comment
Jenn (aka Big Sister Rotten)
9/8/2014 02:44:29 am

Such poignant words to describe how you've floated around in the world! I have lived, of course, on so many of the same streets. And after you told me about the mourning doves, I have felt comforted and at home, having heard them, on the street where I now live.
Your talent at word smith-ing should not surprise me, any more than DLR's talent at music writing, but it does leave me amazed. Every time.

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    Kathy Brooks aka
    Mama Lee Rotten

    I am a writer living in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. I enjoy thrift shopping, working in the garden, singing karaoke and spending time with my children and grandchildren. I have only recently started writing, and one of my poems, "Song 4 You" has already been adapted to music by my son, David Lee Rotten (of Naked Highway), and will be released in early 2015 on his debut solo album/video project Bound.  

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