The Brown-Eyed Girls

an old one that disappeared

Just as I was getting to work this morning,
Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" came on the radio.
The volume went up and the remembering started.
High school days of doing little and laughing over silly things.
Somehow that song became our theme, our anthem if you will.
We were the brown eyed girls.
We found hundreds of ways to keep ourselves entertained.
We sang songs.
We made up stories.
We found adventures
and maybe we never went anywhere.
When I think of the brown eyed girls
I remember
making Edsel Weaver blush as red as his hair,
her mama's french toast,
Jerry's hot fudge cake,
watching "Dead Poets Society".

That other brown eyed girl
taught me I was mortal during her first year
away at college.

When I find myself
up on the hill back home,
I go by and visit that brown-eyed girl,
and leave some flowers.

And when our song comes on the radio
I turn it way up
and sing as loud as I can. . .

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

"Do you remember when, we used to sing..." I remember my mom swooning over Rod Stewart singing Have I Told You Lately and asking me who did the song. I said, well, that's Rod Stewart singing, mom, but it's a Van Morrison song. She had heard of Rod Stewart but never Van the Man. The line about mortality proven reminded me sadly of my niece who died while away at college from bacterial meningitis. She just got sick and was dead within a few days. She thought she just had a cold. Play the music loud, for all of us. Bless, F.

[Emily B]

I really never expected to live this long. It's funny sometimes.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

"If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans." F.

[Emily B]

Thank you, friend.

[C. Harter Amos]

I love the memories of youth and being carefree. I agree with others below that this is a beautiful tribute to your friend. What better way to remember her than to turn up the radio and celebrate life! Lovely poem. - Mimi.

[TL Boehm]

OH MY...that one hit me right between the eyes. no pun intended. I have a dear friend...a brown eyed girl who taught me I was mortal too. Her name was Carmen. I left her flowers once too. And cried...so hard.
What a poem Emily. WOW.

[*** Hey Jude***]

This brown-eyed girl is impressed with your brown-eye girl write. Thanks for reminding all brown-eyed girls they are unique. Neat write! ~ Jude :-)

[cest la vie]

Such a wonderful way to honor that brown-eyed girl.This piece tugged at my heart, yet rejoiced as well. This is a wonderful write Emily.

[Ellen Hammond]

What a lovely tribute to a friend who has passed away. She will always live as she lives in your heart and memories of the good times you shared keep her with you. Very nicely written.

[Anthony M Smith Jr]

I really liked this poem and enjoyed your memories with you!
TT-TTO-NI-K
Elk

[Collect-Eye]

My father has the brownest eyes I've ever seen. I saw his mortality earlier this year, as I watched him , unable to get out of bed. I think this piece has maybe inspired me to write a piece about him.

this is a beautiful tribute. You've developed your voice and you honor her w/ it.

there's a lot of subtleties in your work, this piece especially. I think I'll lay down and wander through it a little while.

[LJW]

Oh yes, the memories...even for this blue-eyed girl.

Your mentioning of the other brown eyed girl since passed made this piece real, very real.

[Lilith des Cavernes]

Ah... wow! Great piece. Stunning!

[Dezaraye]

Did you post this once before?

I have songs that take me back. Nostalgia is a funny feeling sometimes. Music is such a powerful tie to memories and yesteryear. I love how you've expressed this and the moment that you captured. Not only did you capture one moment, but a whole story and I love it.