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No illusion unshattered.
By BrianRobertNeal
11 September 2006
This was the first piece sparked off by Kate Bush's Lyrics. If I were writing it now, I'd use more lyrics.

NO ILLUSION UNSHATTERED

*LYRICS QUOTED ARE THE COPYWRIGHT OF KATE BUSH AND ARE FROM HER COMPOSITION “A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING”. PUBLISHED ON THE CD TITLED DEEPER UNDERSTANDING.*

*AS THE PEOPLE HERE GET COLDER*

Why are people so unfriendly nowadays? I used to be very gregarious and now look at me. Like most of my age the children made me introspective and I tended to run my life round them, finding little time for friends. Now they have lives of their own and these seem to exclude me, apart from Weddings, birthdays, Christmases and baptisms. Or when they need money!

*I TURN TO MY COMPUTER*

I went to an adult evening class to learn how to use these contraptions. I was twice the age of most on the course and was politely cold shouldered. I suppose they were frightened that my ageing might rub off on them. I’ve got Broadband and it’s amazing, you can contact anybody no matter where they are. Makes me think of Hancock in the “Radio Ham”, you know “Friends all over the world but none in this country”.

*AND SPEND MY EVENINGS WITH IT LIKE A FRIEND*

In from work, grab a snack and then boot up. Sometimes I wander like a cloud, hit a search and then go from link to link. However I have my favourites. I must break out of this but how. The Pubs are all youth oriented, and grab a granny nights are too ghastly to consider. Club 1830 might be the answer. That’s not Club18-30 but the one that ought to exist for people who look like they were born no later than 1830.

I’ve got to talking to the MicroSoft Paper-Clip. I’m often telling him he’s a good boy when he reminds me to do something I’ve forgotten to do such as “make a save”.

*ARE YOU LONELY ARE YOU LOST?*

Yes.

I get up and eject the CD, for I can take no more. Katie I love you because you understand my situation so well. But I hate you because you have so poignantly described my circumstance and have left me with no illusion unshattered

Reviews
Awww
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 11th September 2006
It sounds so sad. You should put on some happier music!  
It's strange indeed though: The population is aging all over the western world, and meanwhile the entertainment industry focusses on the ever shrinking younger population...

Written by MikeMorris (106 comments posted) 11th September 2006
Loved it Brian. 
Particularly poignant for me as I'm signing on for computer classes and GUITAR classes. At 65 years old? 
Thanks for your piece, Mike

Written by MikeMorris (106 comments posted) 11th September 2006
Mike again. I find a Frankie Laine CD works. Still going at 93 and his songs are all less than 3 minutes so I still remember what they're about at the end! ;)
Reflective mood
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3136 comments posted) 11th September 2006
Club 18-30? I've always thought that was the I.Q range not the age. 
Noel Coward talked about teh potency of popular music and he's not wrong as you have proved here .If the music moves you it's amazing what it can inspire. 
A very thoughtful and reflective piece, funnily enough I always find Kate Bush uplifting. If you really want to plumb the depths Lenny Cohen is your man. 
Fledermaus made a good point, the music buying public are getting older, while MTV looks like an underage soft porn channel. And then at 65 Bob Dylan is top of the album charts. 
Anyway l really like the piece, nice work 
BBS 
P.S I hate the MS paperclip with a passion you cannot imagine.
Hi Batty
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 11th September 2006
Even odder is the failure to recognise that Today's elder generation do not revere Gracie Fields or Vera Lynne. In their place are Elvis,Buddy, perhaps Billie and onwards to Byrds and Beatles, 
 
Brian.

Written by Phil (6387 comments posted) 11th September 2006
Enjoyed this Brian, nowithstanding its inherent sadness. You've hit on a great truth about running after your kids. I'm finding my social circle being squeezed to parents of other children and I have to make a special effort to spend time with the people I'd choose to be with. 
 
I find swearing violently at the MS Paper Clip quite cathartic. Give it a go. 
 
All the best, 
 
Phil.
Hi Mike
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 11th September 2006
My late mother had a Frankie Lane LP-oooh smack my xhaps. 
 
Thanks for your time and comments. 
 
Brian
Hi BubBleS
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 11th September 2006
Thanks for all your time and comments. Why does everone hate the paper-clip he's like Siddie's Soul Brother. 
 
Brian
Hi Phil
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 11th September 2006
I almost overlooked you. With me it was my 3 boys Football, matches and training. Mind I gave up playing and going to watch but everything else went out the window, 
 
Thanks for all your time and comments, 
 
 
Brian
an enjoyable read
Written by Leo (573 comments posted) 12th September 2006
A very simple piece of writing that was very easy on the eyes. Thoughtful and poignant. its all been said. thank you Brian. leo
Hi Leo
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 12th September 2006
Once again thanks for your time and comments, 
 
Brian
Unusual
Written by mishmish (389 comments posted) 14th September 2006
This was a piece that was very well crafted. Although short, you encapsulated a person's life so well.  
 
Juxtaposing with the lyrics only made it more poignant and powerful...and sad. 
 
A sensitive piece that reflected the isolations that some people feel in this 21st Century techno age. 
 
Very well done 
 
best wishes 
 
mish x
Hi MM
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 14th September 2006
Once again thanks for your time and comments. 
 
It is very unusual for a piece as far down the listing as this one is to get noticed. 
 
So adouble thank you, 
 
Brian

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