Let Me Dream - Don't Wake Me Up Too Soon

I had a bad case of writer's block tonight. It wasn't that I had no ideas at all but I did not feel sufficiently inspired or perhaps prepared to write on some of the topics that came to mind. Among topics I had considered writing about were my favourite TV shows, movies, an odd story about a friend and even about my unusual hobby of visiting gravesites. Somehow none seemed right for this night.

Then as I struggled in total silence, I heard a whisper of a tune. At first, it was a broken tune, incomplete; the words were not coming through but it soon drew its parts together from the coils of my memory, rising like a Phoenix reborn from the dust and ashes. I watched its rebirth with wonder as first the tune began to take shape and then I recalled the entire last line of lyrics and finally I recognised it. A friend from the past. A song I do not consciously remember singing since I was thirteen or fourteen.

Why this sprite from my past? Readers of this blog will know that there was recent discussion about keeping the innocence of children for as long as possible and giving them a nurturing and empowering environment. Somehow, all that had resonated a chord in my memory and brought this to the surface. This song was always able and is still able to bring tears to my eyes; the regrets of lost innocence, I think.

It is a song by Neil Sedaka entitled "Super Bird".

When I was young, no worries in my head,

I used to flap my arms, and fly around the bed,

Just like a super bird, zoom, zoom, zoom.

Up and down the chandelier, all around the room.

When I told the people that I could really fly,

They said that little boys ain't supposed to lie.

Poor little super bird sitting on the ground,

No zoom, zoom, zoom, when anyone's around.

Fly, fly, fly super bird, super bird.

While you're young super bird, super bird.

There's time enough to wreck your dreams.

Have your fun, super bird.

They said I couldn't, so what did I do then?

I cried myself to sleep and never tried again.

Poor little super bird they woke you up too soon.

No Santa Claus or green cheese on the moon.

It skipped my mind for years, at least until tonight,

When I tucked the kids in bed and I turned out the light.

There at the doorway, you'll never guess what I heard,

"Zoom, zoom, zoom, super bird."

Fly, fly, fly super bird, super bird.

While you're young super bird, super bird.

There's time enough to wreck your dreams,

Have your fun, super bird.