"If you've ever doubted the power of rock (or music for that matter), you can renew your faith by reading Born to Run… And Write"*

Posts tagged “Prayer

We Are Alive

Posted on April 9, 2013

He asked, “What makes a writer?” “Well,” I said, “it’s simple. You either get it down on paper, or jump off a bridge. – Charles Bukowski A few weeks ago, I stood beneath a dark blue and black sky. The wind was strong, and cold, and the river which lay before me was raging. I stood alone on the grassy embankment, with the bright lights of the city across the water, twinkling, and a tear in my eye. I was shaking. It was cold, much too cold, but that was only half the reason my knees trembled. The moon above me was bright, and the clouds illuminated below its pale white face looked like ghosts, out to remind the world that, hey - we are…

Tomorrow There’ll Be Sunshine, and All This Darkness Past

Posted on December 31, 2012

On the 21st of September this year, an old friend of mine said to me -You’re the luckiest guy I know, Connor! As I sit here now – on a train to Edinburgh to experience the world famous Hogmanay celebrations which, every year, put Scotland at the top of the list of places to travel – I think about 2012; my travels & adventures, my loves & losses, the sights and sounds I have experienced across the world, the 20,000 miles I have travelled, and the words of my old friend, and how – undeniably – 2012 has been the most exciting of my life so far. More recently, another old school friend said to me that I had an awesome life. Just like…

Good luck, goodbye, Bobby Jean

Posted on August 4, 2012

As the great writer and poet, Charles Bukowski once said, “poetry is what happens when nothing else can”. I have always thought the same of words. So often in my life I have turned to words in moments when nothing else could bring any absolution. Music, the ultimate form of poetry, is the last point of retreat when the world seems at its most dark. Musicians can often stand between the void of darkness and emptiness in pain and desolation, and the undying light of hope which keeps it at bay. When I was young and the world seemed like a dark place, I found the work of a young musician from New Jersey. I listened to The River, and could relate to the…

Long Walk Home

Posted on January 14, 2012

I took a long walk home this evening. Truthfully I couldn’t face the prospect of getting home due to the unhappiness I knew would confront me when I arrived. Of course when I got home that wave of upset hit me – as I expected it to – and so with nobody else to talk to I thought I would turn to my little blog. Taking a good few hours to walk a distance which would usually take about 40 minutes, I had a lot on my mind. During my walk I was confronted with the reality of my life and that made me feel the way I do now. I feel pretty upset – again – this evening, and so it is arguable…

My Only Faith

Posted on January 9, 2012

When I feel as low as I do right now, one of the songs which really resonates with my feelings is “The Wrestler”, a song which The Boss penned in 2008 for the film of the same name. It has featured in a few of my blogposts over the past year now, but I include it again today to help explain something. “These things that have comforted me I drive away (anything more) This place that is my home I cannot stay (anything more) My only faith is in the broken bones and bruises I display“ It is a very dangerous thing to hold the pain which has crippled us as also the thing which drives us, however many of us find ourselves in…

The Promised Land

Posted on January 7, 2012

I lie awake with this pain that binds me Wishing for a newfound story To define my life not by pain, But one where everything will be okay again.   I wake up in the morning full of dread For fear of another day of pain ahead I fight and fight, I continue this plight But will I ever make it to the promised land?   Driving past the cliff above me I wonder could it absolve me? Would its cold rock suit my cold heart? Or would it just contribute, to my life’s dark.   Working through another day, Marked by pain, yet no gain I feel the ever growing desire To curl up and die, by life’s painful fire   The fires…

It’s Just You And I My Friend

Posted on January 5, 2012

I have had a rather emotional few weeks. Within me there has been a more pronounced conflict between the hopes of my dreams versus the realities of my life than there usually is, and whilst this has arguably left me more insightful about not only my life but the realities of our existences, I can’t help but feel pretty deflated as 2012 starts to truly kick in. 2012 is a year abundant in the hope of promise, and the promise of hope, but which presents the profound danger of damaging so much too. Whilst this could be the year of my dreams being fulfilled, so too it could be the year in which my dreams become shattered. During the past few days I have…

You’re Missing

Posted on October 22, 2011

It is becoming a regular occurrence these days for me to quote the words of Bruce Springsteen when writing a new article for my blog… Either as the post’s title (like today), or within the actual body of the text itself – or both. I find that in incorporating Springsteen’s words into my posts, not only am I adding a real touch of beauty to them, but I am also providing myself with inspiration, and core concepts around which to write. I also quote Springsteen so much because, as I have mentioned before, I absolutely adore his music. The 62 year old poet from New Jersey remains the most important person in my life, in providing me with the spiritual guidance necessary for me…

Tell Me, Friend, Can You Ask For Anything More?

Posted on September 10, 2011

Dear God, Thank you for Bruce Springsteen. In the absence of my parents, and in the absence of you, in my worst moments, and in my best moments, The Boss is there for me. Whatever I need, whenever I need it. Whether I need a Dad, a friend, a source of guidance, or someone to protect me from the harshest realities of my life, Bruce Springsteen is there for me above all others. His music, his voice, his words and his inspiration. His protection, his love, his strength and his expression. His altruism, his mercy, his determination, and his commitment. Lord, I give thanks for Bruce Springsteen and everything he is, not only to me – but to every person in this world honoured…

  

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