Thank you - It's so lovely; poignant and wistful. I assumed that he wrote it, but wasn't sure if it was from a larger work that I somehow missed. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Here in the south, these luminescent insects are more commonly referred to as "Lightning Bugs." Up in the Smokey Mountains, northeast of me, there is a species of lightning bug that synchronizes it's flashing, and for a week or two in May or June, you can see whole hillsides and meadows flashing at once, or watch waves of flashes cascade across the landscape before you.
I don't know if Walter knew about the synchronicity, if he grew up catching lightning bugs and putting them in a glass jar like I did. What do they eat? we wondered, inevitably putting a torn lettuce leaf in the bottom of the jar. It wasn't until much later that I learned that adult lightning bugs do not eat at all. I don't know if Walter caught lightning bugs as a child, or if he watched them in Central Park as an adult. I didn't even know if there were lightning bugs in Central Park, so I looked it up when I first read this piece, Firefly Time.
I discovered this article (https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kww7z/why-are-we-seeing-so-many-fireflies-in-new-york-this-year) that mentions that in July of 2017, there was an uptick in the number of these bioluminescent beetles in Central Park. That date really struck me. I don't know that this was written in 2017, but the idea of these little bugs twinkling away merrily, and the thought of Walter observing them, internalizing their little matting ritual, and contextualizing it into art...all of this just two months before he was gone. What an amazing artist. What a terrible loss.
When I was yours and you were mine.
When I was yours and you were mine.
When I was yours and you were mine.
Over the course of the past week this page has drawn together the thoughts, comments, and poetry of those who have been connected, affected, awakened, or guided by the artistry of Walter Becker. There has been an outreach by those of us who have been a brother, partner, friend, soulmate, child, or connected in any cerebral manner whatsoever. Whether we are here to express the sorrow of his passing or to celebrate the bounty of his life's work, it is absolutely amazing to realize the impact that Walter has had on the lives of so many. From the Worldwide cultural explosion of Steely Dan on the work of the musicians who played on all of those groundbreaking tracks, as well as his own solo career and his work producing other artists, and writing or co-writing for others, Walter Becker was a Masterful musician. His place in musical history is forever Set in Stone, for he was a unique and inspiring artist! Lary
Love and good thoughts to you D.
And to you.
o
And to everyone out there.
o
Within the mystic cover of the
twilight sky, we slither and dance,
then slither once more, counting cadence
through the mist.. then off to trace
the borders where a treasure lay
discarded, or from a hazy escapade
remained, not knowing what was missed..
Lary
What is the "Firefly" quote from?
Walter wrote it
Simply beautiful. My best wishes to you, D.
Here in the south, these luminescent insects are more commonly referred to as "Lightning Bugs." Up in the Smokey Mountains, northeast of me, there is a species of lightning bug that synchronizes it's flashing, and for a week or two in May or June, you can see whole hillsides and meadows flashing at once, or watch waves of flashes cascade across the landscape before you. I don't know if Walter knew about the synchronicity, if he grew up catching lightning bugs and putting them in a glass jar like I did. What do they eat? we wondered, inevitably putting a torn lettuce leaf in the bottom of the jar. It wasn't until much later that I learned that adult lightning bugs do not eat at all. I don't know if Walter caught lightning bugs as a child, or if he watched them in Central Park as an adult. I didn't even know if there were lightning bugs in Central Park, so I looked it up when I first read this piece, Firefly Time.
I discovered this article (https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kww7z/why-are-we-seeing-so-many-fireflies-in-new-york-this-year) that mentions that in July of 2017, there was an uptick in the number of these bioluminescent beetles in Central Park. That date really struck me. I don't know that this was written in 2017, but the idea of these little bugs twinkling away merrily, and the thought of Walter observing them, internalizing their little matting ritual, and contextualizing it into art...all of this just two months before he was gone. What an amazing artist. What a terrible loss. When I was yours and you were mine. When I was yours and you were mine. When I was yours and you were mine.
But, "an endless dusk, at lightning bug time" doesn't quite have the same effect, now does it?
The Twilight offers a protective cover for the wounded warriors,
the semi - beautiful daughters, and the Ancient Aged.. all are
now Created Equal, under the dimly lit sacred skies..
Until tomorrow's early light the diminished and discarded
are free to dance and sing, Celebrate the Night..
although before the light of dawn be gone,
with all impressions left intact.. the festival arrives at dusk!
Lary
It's just beautiful .
Love to you D
Over the course of the past week this page has drawn together the thoughts, comments, and poetry of those who have been connected, affected, awakened, or guided by the artistry of Walter Becker. There has been an outreach by those of us who have been a brother, partner, friend, soulmate, child, or connected in any cerebral manner whatsoever. Whether we are here to express the sorrow of his passing or to celebrate the bounty of his life's work, it is absolutely amazing to realize the impact that Walter has had on the lives of so many. From the Worldwide cultural explosion of Steely Dan on the work of the musicians who played on all of those groundbreaking tracks, as well as his own solo career and his work producing other artists, and writing or co-writing for others, Walter Becker was a Masterful musician. His place in musical history is forever Set in Stone, for he was a unique and inspiring artist! Lary
Wow, Larry - that was so dense, my full response will have to wait for me to process it more, mind *and* soul. But for now....beautiful. And, thanks
With all my heart and soul, D! Thank you!
My Love, Lary
Walt was a mystic with words and script. He could make the most perverse topics into things of beauty, still miss him to this day.
Endless dusk at firefly time.
tmailander] ... and... ?