Today's iMemory

I'm a day and a half late in posting my regular Friday feature, the iMemory, which is a memory resurrected by a song in my new iPod.

I think I might already need to re-name the feature though (iNspirations? iMotions? iMusings? ) because surely the feelings that are inspired by my music will include more than just memories -- they'll also include hopes, joys, sorrows, etc.

Today's song is And So It Goes by Billy Joel. When I hear the first few chords of this song, a lump immediately forms in my throat, I am rendered speechless and paralyzed, and I am transported away. That physical reaction is instantaneous with my recognition of the song, and its grip doesn't release me until the last agonizing word and the last chord subside.

The song is simultaneously beautiful and treacherous, peaceful and tumultuous, hopeful and futile, and I am filled with love and pain, happiness and sadness, joy and sorrow -- to the point of feeling physically spent when it ends.

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows