song to a seagull - Joni Mitchell #acnotes

A group of seagulls is commonly referred to as a flock. However, the correct collective noun is 'colony'. Little wonder, why Joni Mitchell chose to write this "song to a seagull." Is this a prayer from one seagull to another? Or, a lament of a flightless, lonely mortal aspiring to be a being devoid of earthly bonds and expectations? Immortal. Or, in pursuit of her feeling belonged. Well, let's find out.

A song that's part of the 1968 debut studio album by the Canadian-American singer. The trivia on the net reads that the artwork of the vinyl (self designed by Joni), some how didn't highlight the album name or Joni's name outshone it, so everyone thought it was a self titled album. Worse was when an L from seagull got snipped while the vinyl sleeve got printed.

While she had written songs for other artistes previously, this album had those that were featured for the first time. A debut that stood the test of time, without leveraging any of her past work or claim to fame.

Back to the song. She chose to write this song to a bird which is always a part of its colony. In constant company, yet alone. Rarely found in solitude yet living a singled out life. While listening to this song I'm reminded of Richard Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull (an allegorical fable published as a novella in 1970). In this story it's about the protagonist who wishes to learn to fly, which he thinks is his spark and he's on a quest to perfect it. In that quest he becomes an outcast first. However, he finds his place, where he feels belonged, eventually. In short, he's unlike the other seagulls who are living an ordinary life that's merely to do with existing. Now what's the connection? For a moment, pretend you didn't read this paragraph.

You can revisit it after you've reached the end of the note.

Cut to, Joni's song to a Seagull where she's referring to the bird as an aloof creature.

At some point she aspires to be so, afloat on the wind's currents than being tied down by the expectations of her relationships. Then she's comparing herself to Robinson Crusoe. How she's moved to this island of noise and surrounded by a cobblestone sea. A city by all means could be a lonely place while it's still populated. A hard hitting truth even in these times. More importantly, when you have just moved here. We seldom look into each other's eyes, nod or say 'Hi' and we have anc earphones connected to phones that keep our necks craned so we don't look at our neighbours or acknowledge their presence. If this deafening silence isn't noise and we aren't one in the sea of cobblestones lying beside each other yet making no connect, then what else could she be referring to? Maybe, I'm exaggerating a bit. Anyway, stay with me for this next blow, would you?

"And the beaches were concrete

And the stars paid a light bill

And the blossoms hung false

On their store window trees"

Well, this hit harder. Capitalism captured so succinctly, yet it speaks volumes. Now comes the next mighty wave to wash you over with a reality check.

"But sandcastles crumble

And hunger is human

And humans are hungry

For worlds they can't share"

The last two lines especially still resonates with us. As well cling to our devices, gaping at others putting up a showing of their life at its best -- a vacation, a date, a dinner, a view of their new home, a selfie at the game or a video from a gig. In other words, we are a performative society that solicits envy / jealousy from peers than welcoming or building a sense of belonging. I know this is becoming a sermon, but I beg to differ. This is just a reflection. A note to self. If this speaks to you, it's a curious coincidences. If not, scroll on.

Without sharing all the lyrics here, I'll end my note with these lines from the song:

"My dreams with the seagulls fly

Out of reach

Out of cry

I call to a seagull

Who dives to the waters

And catches his silver-fine

Dinner alone"

One mile. One word. One note. One sketch.

Let's show up for that one tiny task and be content with that. And it will compound as we show up, time, time and again. But for now, let's be content with that one move that would sustain you. Gradually, your colony will find you. One day.

https://lynkify.in/song/song-to-a-seagull/EzHxRALV

#acnotes