The first few chords of Wharf Rat have always moved me in the way that you hope music will. It fills me with hope and a feeling that the pendulum is swinging up. There is a slow and easy crescendo, like big waves in a calm sea, and when the song crests and Jerry sings “I’ll get up and fly away” I always feel like I will. Fly away, that is. As I was walking up the stairs to the train platform at 7:30 this morning at the Wattens-Fritzens station I could hear these chords…the last 3 stairs…the sun breaking through the clouds…I’ll get up and fly away….
I was on my way to Innsbruck to attempt to get my (almost) new (used) car registered and insured. Reminiscent of the same unbridled ecstasy I felt the day before my 16th birthday, living in Kansas and longing for the moment I could get in my 1975 AM General mail jeep and drive, I felt filled with nerves and excitement. The thought of 4 wheels and the open road is very romantic and inspiring to me. I think the car now, like back then, is more of a symbol than anything else. It’s freedom and independence. It’s possibilities that can be realized if you just go the right way and adventure that awaits if you toss the map aside and go with your instincts.
To my joy and relief I had insurance and my funky Austrian license plate in under an hour and my new (used) Skoda Oktavia only 4 hours later after a quick trip to Lans to pick it up. The relief that I feel is surprising…like somebody cut my already non-existent cord and liberated me even more than I was before. I wasn’t sure that was possible…
When work ended I got in MY car and drove to the highest spot I could. North of Gnadenwald as high as the road would let me and looked up at the stars shining right above my head and the lights twinkling way, far below and, for the second time in one day heard those familiar chords….I”LL GET UP AND FLY AWAY…
On my way down the mountain I found myself thanking God (not a normal response for me in any situation) and myself for this extraordinary life I’m living. That whole saying about being careful what you wish for ’cause you just might get it doesn’t scare me. Wish away…
1 response so far ↓
Mom // October 14, 2007 at 8:47 am
Henry S.Leigh said,” I wish I knew the good of wishing.”
He obviously did not know you. You may have wished for many things in your life, Beana, some of which may not have been too kind in regards to your surrealist younger life, but your mindset is such a positive and powerful thing that one can only be swept away by your articulate prose; your bright and beautiful future; your take charge, ‘this is my life’ attitude; and the truth and beauty that comes from within your soul. Richard III once said, “If wishes were horses then Beana would ride” . . .or maybe it was Richard Petty. Let the genie of life continue to fulfill your wishes . . . of all the people I know, you have taken the biggest bite of the apple of life. I love you.
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