Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

That is the title of a lovely folk song written in the 1950’s by Pete Seeger (Grammy Hall of Fame).  It must be outstanding because it later became a hit for both The Kingston Trio in 1958 and Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1962. The lyrics and tune entered my head as I awoke this morning, evoking those days, many years ago, when I was a teenager and folk songs meant a lot to me.  Apparently this one still does.

The lyrics go full circle.  The flowers are picked by young girls who, in turn have taken husbands “every one.”  Husbands became soldiers who, in turn, have gone to graveyards “every one.”  And in the end the graveyards are covered with flowers, “every one.”

The refrain to each verse –

“When will they ever learn?

“When will they ever learn?”

Some of us, understandably, may find this to be a somewhat grim view of life.  I find it sad, but uplifting.

Perhaps I’ve been thinking of flowers because in the past week, as part of my rehabilitation and what, I’m told, should become a part of my permanent routine, I’ve been taking walks in the neighborhood.  Since I can’t yet look up, or even straight ahead, I find myself looking down.  And what do I see along the road?

Flowers.

I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for almost fifty years.  Fifty years, folks, and I have never before noticed the flowers.

In my teens I certainly noticed the young girls.  During the Viet Nam war I saw more than enough soldiers on TV.  After the deaths of my mother, father, and younger brother I visited the graveyard, which held more grass than flowers.

And here I am.

Where have all the flowers gone?  Nowhere.

The flowers have been there all along.

Alan