Hearing again for the first time …

In the Zen tradition, there is a saying that goes something like this:
When the student is ready, the teacher appears.

A few years ago, the novelist Sandra Cisneros told me how a book waits for the reader to be ready to  read it. And when we do, it’s exactly the right time. Providence.

I’m beginning to believe that the same is true of songs.

I heard this one for the first time when I was in  highschool. I’ve probably listened to it 1,000 times. And today, at aaaaaaaalmost 40, I heard it. For the first time.

By U2

(Black flash)
Black flash over my own love
Tell me of my eyes
Black flash come though my own life
Telling these things
And I believe them
And I believe in you

White flash sees the sky
And it turns its side from you
She won’t turn my back
And I know you turn so blue
And you know
And your sky is feeling blue
And your heart
So cold when I’m with you
And you feel
Like no one told you to
And your time is your side
And your time with me
Ah, don’t talk to me
Ah, don’t talk to me
Don’t talk to me

You know
Like no one told you how
But you know
Though the king that howls has howled
But you feel like sentimental
But you don’t care
If I just share it in your heart
(heart…)

Hopelessly
So hopelessly
I’m breaking through for you and me
And you don’t
Though no one told you to
And you found out
Where you were going, where to
You’re through with me
But I know that you will be back
For more

You know
And though no one told you so
And you know, blue sky
Like a harder shade of blue
And you walk
When you want
To let go
Me, I’m the outside, tell me fade away
Drop me down but don’t break me
In your sleep

In your sleep, inside
It’s in your heart and mine
Whole sea is dark
It’s in your heart and mine

Sweetly, those will come
Loving is on your side walking through
So let me in your heart
Your beat is like something…

They…
Run…
See say you’re sad and reach by
So say you’re sad above beside
Oh stay you’re sad over midnight
So stay sad above we said

You know I don’t
No one told you how
(and you don’t)
(and you wipe sweat off your white brow)
And you care
And no one told you tried
And your heart
Is left out from the side

And the rain beats down
And the shame goes down
And this rain keeps on coming down
And this sky
Tonight…

You know “S” “O” “N” “G”, why
You’re going go join to God
You know “S” “O” “N” “G”, why
Give away some him no lie
Give away some my de day no

You know

And though no one told you sky

And you feel

Like you pretend you can

You say go, you live

Go live outside of me

Don’t you leave

Don’t leave out part of me

Then can feel

Like I feel before

Like I hurt now

And I see the floor

If you pick me up

Bits and pieces on this floor