Porthole

Will You Tennessee Waltz With Me?

Bittersweet.

Even as a child I loved sad songs. The "Tennessee Waltz" was one of the few 45 records we had. We played "You are my sunshine", "Green Eyes", "Besame mucho" over and over again. Odd to think how much access we have to all those old songs now when as a child I didn't.

I'd love to be able to sing "Ne me quittez pas" or "Les fuilles mortes" in French. French songs, movies, literature does bittersweet much better than gleeful American fell-good pop. Always thought the French were more realistic.

Perhaps that's why I'm leery of people who seem forever happy. Are they on good drugs, in total denial? I can support optimism better... once the bittersweet reality is acknowledged.

Heartbreak? Wish I had a relationship that was close enough for heartbreak. Maybe Kevin? I kept most friends at arm's length. One of many reasons why I never married.

As for Tennessee... I did my 5th grade report on the Volunteer state. Even dreamed of visiting or going to school there. On one fine Spring day when I was 19 my father drove from Arkansas to Virginia. We drove all day through Tennessee, may have stopped for gas. My father wouldn't stop at UT. I didn't speak to him the whole way home.

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