Stranger Strange

This week is the Emerging Writer's Festival.  I attended a small part of a booklaunch this evening that has inspired me to start a new blog.  I am aiming for this one to be a little more focussed, so I will attempt to publish posts based mainly on new creative writing. Here goes...


Stranger Strange


I love random meetings.  I make aquaintances easily.  I'll talk to almost anyone, and I seem to exude something that shout's "talk to me!"  Well people seem to feel at liberty to do so at any rate.  Train stations are one of my favourite, or least favourite encountering places.  I can be reading with earphones in and someone will try and talk to me!  So it's just as well I like to talk to people...


Some meetings are a little strange... sometimes its just a stranger.  I've had marriage proposals, future predictors and even the occassional disturbed person.  Sometimes the stranger is a little too inquisitive for my comfort.  Sometimes they try to rope you into their religion or club.


I've argued with friends that Melbourne is the friendliest place in Australia, but perhaps I'm just a people magnet.  Do you attract strangers?  I've had people tell me quite intimate things... like a confessional.  Things I would only tell a close friend.  Some people are strange.


Others don't want your money... they want your soul.  They want to convert you to their way of thinking.  Others just ramble, incoherant, offensive, or just odd.  Some people are stranger.


I'm usually not scared.  I feel safe in my city, despite the rising violence.  I've wandered Melbourne's lonely streets on a midwinter's night... you feel the essence of a place.  Even in the dark it cannot hide.


I'll never deny a stranger.  No matter how strange they may be.  Strangers present opportunities.  After all we are all strangers.  The following song is the inspiration for the title of this post and the blog.


Stranger Strange (Augie March)

Sun goes high and very low
None too differerent
All to same you know
I know cause I’ve seen them come and go
With summer comes the valley homes
With medicine trucks on the sidewalk
Made out cause the hands couldn’t hold it

(Stranger strange)
Stranger stranger hard and familiar
I’ve got no jokes
Hit me off for more than just my shrapnel’s wounds

Some go high and very low
None too different all the same you know
I know cause I’ve seen them come and go

(Stranger, stranger)
Stranger, stranger strange you should be listening
Like a river to the end of my curtain song
Nobody knows when madness could come along

Now if you see a dear fall into a trap you free it
They know kindness when they see it
Stranger, strange would it come if you could call it?

Some go high and very low
None too different all the same you know
I know cause I’ve seen them come and go

Its quiet now
The streets are silent
Music out of the arms of the unit flies, flies

(Stranger stranger)
Stranger, strange I knew I knew you
Now the bird flights in the blanket view you
Flies like devils and a voice like an iron fire
Stranger strange that the earth meanders
I’m not waiting for them in a fall
I’m not waiting for anything at all
Stranger strange that the earth meanders
I’m not waiting for them in a fall
I’m not waiting for anything at all

Please let me know what you think.  I appreciate all comments...