Thursday, October 27, 2022

Puff’s “Brandi Carlile”

It seems that my colleagues in the Bronx Toastmasters Club of Riverdale have been the first to receive some of my awakenings.  I’m going to make you the second to hear about what my experiences have been at Toastmasters.  

I talk about ways to make the world a better place. Folk music professionals, such as me and Peter, Paul, and Mary inadvertently created generations of children whose lives were affected by a depressed dragon, who gave up his fearless roar because he lost a friend.

As fellow human beings, we should reach back when someone—especially a creature so strange—gives up. You have to keep reaching back to them, trying to share love. I do this. Some of my best friends withdraw from friendships and soak in anger and isolation. Reaching back in love and giving them space when they need it is a good way of showing compassion and understanding.

One of today’s folk artists, Brandi Carlile has set an example of how it’s done. Check out her story about helping Tanya Tucker make a comeback.  Now she’s helping Joni Mitchell perform again…. One day at a time.

Here's what I’m doing for Puff the Magic Dragon, Brandi Carlile-Style.

 

One blue night I was lonely

And set off for Honah Lee.

My feelings I could not ignore

for I missed Puff’s fearless roar.

 

I knew he hid in his cave

and that we both needed to be brave

We also need dragons of magic

their strong intrepid spirits.

 

Hey, Puff you magic dragon,

Tell us what’s going on

With some support you’ll get through this

‘cause you helped us feel so blessed

 

Puff felt like we were listening

and smiled his firery grin, ‘cause love reached him--

our attention returned his old flames  

and so did playing tag and chess games!

 

This dragon lives forever.

He has his people everywhere.

Together we all are friends

our courageous roars will never end!

 

Puff the magic dragon still lives by the sea

And he loves it when we play

And now he’s happy most everyday

in a land called Honah Lee!

 

Yay!

 

--October 2022