{Pause} The Listening Practice
A few weeks ago I discovered Betty’s Diner by Carrie Newcomer. It’s a simple song about a diner. I can’t stop listening to it and it kind of takes my breath away. I feel like this is a song that is ripe for the practice of reflective reading, only maybe this is reflective listening? There are certain phrases that jump out every time I listen to this song (and full discloser when I’m into a song it’s basically ALL I listen to for weeks). Take a few minutes to listen to the song. I’ve put the lyrics below the link. What words or phrases stand out to you? How does the song make you feel? Is there a lesson for you from Betty’s Diner? Betty’s Diner Carrie Newcomer Miranda works the late night counterIn a joint called Betty’s DinerChrome and checkered tableclothsOne steamy windowpane She got the job that shaky fallAnd after hours she’ll write till dawnWith a nod and smile she serves them all Here we are all in one placeThe wants and wounds of the human raceDespair and hope sit face to faceWhen you come in from the cold Let her fill your cup with something kindEggs and toast like bread and wineShe’s heard it all so she don’t mind Arthur lets his earl gray steepSince April it’s been hard to sleepYou know they tried most everythingYet it took her in the end Kevin tests new saxophonesBut swears he’s leaving quality controlFor the Chicago scene, or New OrleansWhere they still play righteous horns Here we are all in one placeThe wants and wounds of the human raceDespair and hope sit face to faceWhen you come in from the cold Let her fill your cup with something kindEggs and toast like bread and wineShe’s heard it all so she don’t mind Jack studies here after workTo get past high school he’s the firstAnd his large hands seem just as comfortableWith a hammer or a pen Emma leaned and kissed his cheekAnd when she did his knees got weakMiranda smiles at ’em and winks Here we are all in one placeThe wants and wounds of the human raceDespair and hope sit face to faceWhen you come in from the cold Let her fill your cup with something kindEggs and toast like bread and wineShe’s heard it all so she don’t mind You never know who’ll be your witnessYou never know who grants forgivenessLook to heaven or sit with us Deidre bites her lip and frownsShe works the stop and go downtownShe’s pretty good at the crossword pageAnd she paints her eyes blue black Tristan comes along sometimesSmall for his age and he’s barely fiveBut she loves him like a mama lion Veda used to drink a lotAlmost lost it all before she stoppedComes in at night with her friend MikeWho runs the crisis line Michael toured Saigon and backHair the color of smoke and ashTheir heads are bowed and hands are claspedOne more storm has passed Here we are all in one placeThe wants and wounds of the human raceDespair and hope sit face to faceWhen you come in from the cold Let her fill your cup with something kindEggs and toast like bread and wineShe’s heard it all so she don’t mind Source: LyricFindSongwriters: Carrie NewcomerBetty’s Diner lyrics © BMG Rights Management The chorus sings to me. As many times as I have listened to this song, it’s taken on new meaning after spending this time intentionally thinking about each line. Here we are all in one placeThe wants and wounds of the human raceDespair and hope sit face to faceWhen you come in from the cold Let her fill your cup with something kindEggs and toast like bread and wineShe’s heard it all so she don’t mind Carrie Newcomer Here we are all in one place Here we are. Here we are living in a pandemic. Here we are eating. Here we are figuring out a new normal. HERE we are. Wants and wounds of the human race Wants and wounds doesn’t that just capture our shared human experience in two words? We want, and we wound or have wounds or soon will have wounds or cause wounds. Wants and wounds are the ground that we all spring from. Despair and hope sit face to face I see this as two opposing forces sitting with eyes locked. The tension that creates a balance. For every move despair makes, hope makes an opposing move and the balance holds. When you come in from the cold Cold seasons happen for everyone, but there are warm doors, welcoming rest spots along the way. I can just see a cold, weary traveler walking into Betty’s Diner a warm welcoming cafe. A place of rest after a weary day. Let her fill your cup Let, such a powerful little word. Let is an action, a choice that we make. Eggs and toast like bread and wine This might be my favorite line. This speaks to me of every moment sacred. Eggs and toast can be the stuff of communion when we let it. She’s heard it all so she don’t mind Isn’t there something so comforting about a person who listens and just takes everything in without too much drama? There is comfort in those sorts of people. What song (or poem) has stopped you in your tracks recently? What is the message for you? 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