Lullabye
Fall in the midwest means many things, apple picking, leaves falling and school buses own the roads once more. I am grateful for the rain and the easing of the summer heat into lightly frosty mornings where you can see the steam coming off your coffee mug when the pup heads outside for that first stretch and shake of the day.
The sun shines through the trees like a fog light across the sea and you can almost see the rays bouncing off the clouds. One of my favorite times of year because it means we're close to the end. We made it through one more and everyone (so far) still has their fingers, toes and can countdown to my very favorite holiday: Halloween.
We start to think about hibernating and question just how many snow days the winter ahead will bring. But first, we get to celebrate simple fun by sitting around a small camp fire and handing little monsters and fairytale characters candy in a pillow case. So many new and old ways to play pretend and celebrate the seasons.
Then once the night comes to a close, we gather around to watch a movie. While some may insist on horror or old movies, I say Star Wars is a perfect Halloween flick. Come on, of all the space movies from the 70s, it was made for kids in costumes.
Star Wars has something for everyone: muppets, duels and a vaguely concerning love story. It also has the most identifiable character ever brought to life. You never even see the person behind the mask. But you know as soon as you hear that electronic rasp. Admittedly, I never questioned why he was in the suit when I was little. Only one person has that gravitas, the sound and the force. Sir James Earl Jones was Darth Vader, no matter the person in the suit. He was always that character and probably why I never really cared for the prequels.
That man was an icon and always seemed like someone I wanted to know. Even playing the scariest villain from my childhood, I couldn't get past the voice and how he was a gentle giant in every other movie I saw him in. To me, he became Mufasa, Terence Mann and the narrator of everything (including "This is CNN").
As we come up on the anniversary of Mr. Jones passing, I can't think of a better tribute than reciting one of the songs I love that was so unexpected, I still don't know if it's a fever dream, a tall tale or a memory. I do know that it's poetry and makes me think of Fall, Star Wars and my childhood all in 3 minutes. It's so good, though.
Thank you to Mr. Ben Folds for your creativity and your support of the Arts (not only as a musician but as an advocate and artistic advisor at the Kennedy Center).
"Goodnight, goodnight sweet baby
The world has more for you
Than it seems
Goodnight, goodnight
Let the moonlight take the lid off your dreams
We took a small flight
In the middle of the night
From one tiny place to another
And my parents they remained
At the shack with Lorraine
And my aunt and my Grandpa and brother
We walked past the tarmac
And boarded the craft
The rain had me chilled to the bones
Just the three of us took flight that night
Uncle Richard, me and James Earl Jones
And the pilot he gave me a blanket
And the tall dark man sang to me in deep rich tones...
Goodnight, goodnight sweet baby
The world has more for you
Than it seems
Goodnight, goodnight
Let the moonlight take the lid off your dreams"
-Til the last drop, N
