Jackson Browne
The Pretender
The Winter of 76 arrived
Somehow almost a year had passed,as my father had the past December of 75
I remember when I first heard The Pretender
I soaked every lyric tasting my tears
As the words of every song tried in vain through the Jack Daniels overflowing my mind with the thoughts of the past…of her
I remember wondering how Mr. Jackson had got inside my head. “Never should’ve had to try so hard to make a love workout”
“Are you there? Say a prayer, for the Pretender…
The difference between me then and now?
I was younger, and stronger
The past? Well it was much shorter.
It seemed the present was unbearable
Decided that I needed to hear her voice
As I dialed up the number that I wasn’t sure was still good, I slammed the Jack, I whispered “if you ever need holding, call my name , and I’ll be there
Sky blue and black.
“Hello?
Her voice shocked me. I remember almost hanging up,
As the boy on the edge of seventeen
Fumbled for the words
I had kept a shirt she’d worn
Her scent had got me through many sad and lonely nights
“Here come those tears again “
When I can look at you without crying, you might look like a friend of mine”
A few hours later, lying in my bed,
Can’t remember now, which was hotter
Our hearts entwined or the room temps
Yes, as I remember The Pretender
Fifty Years ago, to the day, this instant
“But the times when we were happy, were the times we never tried “
I wish that I could call her now,
Put our dark glasses on, and make love until our strength is gone
Are you there? Say a prayer for…The Pretender
