we don't hear very much about jerry garcia anymore. the sudden death in his mid fifties in the mid-nineties of the pop star guru capped decades of struggle with alcohol and mind blowing drugs that were also filled with a sweet and gentle, lyrical voice that offered us many memorable songs and set an example of experimental living that epitomized the hippie ethos.
as i lay on my bed after a peanut butter and jelly supper in the long and lingering Texas afternoon, I found myself, not especially unusually, humming and singing Jerry's song "ripple", mixed with others, which was a kind of national anthem for a spirited lifestyle that now has all but disappeared. "ripple in clear water/ where there is no pebble tossed/ nor wind to blow" "reach out your hand, if your cup be empty...there is a fountain not made by the hands of men". the refrain was a simple Zen lesson and sentiment that showed the profound influenza of west coast mysticism. it was a lovely tune and time. it occurred in the summer of some of our days. while hardly an orthodox Christian believer, Jerry echoes an almost conventional hope that, accompanied by a profound love for life and humanity, could give some peace to us all...if we would just listen. check out"american beauty" if you haven't in a while. it's available on youtube. it will do your heart good.
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