Music Monday: "The Obvious Child"

I'm accustomed to a smooth ride
Or maybe I'm a dog who's lost its bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep through the night
Some people say a lie's a lie's a lie
But I say why
Why deny the obvious child?

A day late (I know) and all likelihood a dollar short, I was inspired in part by Roxiticus DH, to play along with Music Monday by sharing the song "The Obvious Child" by Paul Simon.

I found myself thinking of Simon today for the oddest of reasons. While reflecting on Veteran's Day, I thought back to the first Gulf War and how I was student teaching (after being out of high school for nearly four years) and how at the same time, my best friend had recently been deployed to Iraq.

It was weird thinking about what would happen to him (he was the first peer I'd had placed in harms way in such a manner--volunteer service and all), and the whole concept was a new and real to me for the first time. It is an uncomfortable "vibe" I have unfortunately needed to grow more comfortable with as our country has grown more involved with a variety of different military conflicts.

During this period in my life I was enamored of Paul Simon's cassette(!) The Rhythm of the Saints and this song in particular. The imagery evoked in Simon's lyrics still take me back to my ride into school and thoughts of my friend... who did eventually make it home fine and has become "accustomed to a smoother rode."