Rod McKuen Is My Muse

Rod McKuen & Merrie Lynn Ross

In my teens I wrote poetry and scribbled obsessively in a diary, questing for ‘who am I’ ‘where am I going’ ‘what is this life about’? Filled with mixed-up emotions, all mind bogglers; grappling with the mystery of ‘why’ and for ‘what purpose’ we dally about on Mother Earth?

Overtime several notebooks filled with poetry, aphorisms, and various topics and issues piled in folders at my bedside. A satisfaction oozed at the unlimited theories, philosophical rants, and amusing antidotes that poured out.

And then I discovered the likes of Kahill Gibran, Krishnamurti… and my secret intimate soothsayer, Rod McKuen. The more of his delicious thought-provoking, viscerally palpable, perfectly metered poetry I read, the more I was inspired to write.

During that period I was studying drama at a professional acting studio in New York and was befriended by several aspiring musicians from Julliard. Lo’ and behold two young men were enamored with my poetry and asked me to write lyrics for a rock opera. Who knew what was required, who knew that it could be arduous. Magical inspiration strikes when one is open and “Mother Goose Turn Me Loose” was created. The scenario touted characters like Humpty Dumpty, a sad-teen drug abuser, who fell off the wall, and all the kings men and queens could not put him back together again.

The Rob McKuen saga continued with my poetry writing. A sample stanza below:

Why do I see the sad and the lonely whenever I pass them by?

Why do I feel their hurts whenever I meet their eyes?

Will my Smile be enough to slightly ease their pain…  

Or is it just a flower… drowning from too much rain?                                                                      

A close friend was fond of my poetry and made a noble gesture to promote it to the world. He owned a brownstone in Manhattan and leased it to Random House. He set a meeting with the President to discuss publishing my poetry. After a short deliberation they came back with, “She is a young Rod McKuen in style and we publish his works. It wouldn’t be wise for us to cross-pollinate.” Amazing, without a previous mention they saw the likeness and reverence to him. The so-called rejection was a boon in my life. To have my name even remotely connected with McKuen was beyond my wildest dream.

Fast-forward 2012 – Los Angeles pre-Oscar party at the Chateau Marmont, a quaint hotel for artistic and famed residents, unfortunately, where John Belushi died. On an elevator ride to the party, a sophisticated gentleman joined us – it was Rod McKuen – in 3D, up close and personal.  Stoked, I quickly babbled my Random House story and he chuckled, fascinated. We became fast friends and shared hors d’oeuvres during the evening.

Before we departed I blurted a festering question, one that had haunted me from reading his deep insights, his astute observations of the trial and tribulations of human nature, and captivating the soul.

“Mr. McKuen do we have to suffer to write like you do?” He paused, thoughtful for a moment, and then with a twinkle in his eye he answered my ardent question.

Whether it was “Yay” or “Nay” I can never out-and-out what he said – it would ring like a kiss and tell. What do you think he answered?  I shall hold it dearly… a poet’s sacred secret, deep within my heart.

Merrie Lynn Ross’ revered book, “Bounce Off The Walls –Land On Your Feet” … How to Morph Havoc and Hassles into Harmony and Happiness… is currently on Amazon.com and in bookstores.

www.merrieway.com