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Just a Friend

from Kunk in the Kitchen by Karen Kunkel

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about

Just a Friend

I think this is a pretty straightforward song. I wrote it back in the winter of 2012. It's a true story of walking to the nearby ocean, something on my mind—and the ocean cleanses me of my pain, at least for a time. Going to the ocean is something I seek to do every chance I get--whether in pain or not--the ocean always alters the state in which I entered the water.

Once having been to the ocean, how can anyone desire to live far from it for long? That ocean, source of all life, connection to the moon, immensity that covers most of our world—there will never be enough homage to, nor explanation of, her powers of inspiration and healing. In a recent facebook post, I wrote on a friend's wall in response to her voicing woes about somebody she can't stop thinking of, and that even the sea reminds her of them*:
" i myself was thinking sad thoughts today--thoughts that seem lodged in a tender and weathered heart--thoughts that can have me feeling like i'll never be as strong or as joyful as I used to be. but then I swam in californian ocean--the ocean is bigger than anybody--she is our mother and she can cleanse anything, wipe smooth the most furrowed stone. i came away feeling better. the full moon always makes me a little emotional. yet the ocean always makes me feel baptized, rebooted. you have more claim on the ocean than any man. and she more claim on you. no one belongs to anyone. yet we all belong to each other. this beautiful gay nurse valley boy who gave me a ride to LA from SF said to me in his velvety valley-boy tenor, each word stretched long with lazy effortlessness, "we are all worthy of each other."'

Gosh, I'm glad to be reminded of all those words, but especially those valley-boy's words, words offered with a stranger's soft smile born of loving surety: “we are all worthy of each other.” :)

xoxox—k kunkel

*Astrological geekage footnote: At the time of the facebook exchange, the full moon was in Libra, with a Pisces influence, it being March—also a brief eclipse was about to take place with that full moon—this could mean we were all feeling those celestial influences bringing our attention toward how we spend our time with others, our relationships and communications, and matters of the heart—with heightened polarities, such as, of feeling deep love and deep loneliness; deep communion and deep isolation; deep gratitude and deep pain—changing from one moment to the next.

lyrics

Just a friend,
I thought of you today,
so I walked some miles to the ocean,
she numbed me with her wind,
and she raked her hands through my hair,
and I felt cold and little (and strange) and strong,
But while I was numb,
I couldn't stop feeling your hands,
seeing your shoulders as you ran,
seein' your head thrown back,
laughin'
as you ran me over.
You're my friend,
wise and good and fair.
There's something you'll never understand—it's clear.
I thought of you today,
so I went into the ocean,
shocked me into gratitude to be alive.
And I washed the thoughts away,
'til I was spent and numb,
and I crawled upon the shore to dry.
Just a friend,
I scream and yell and sing,
but I don't cry, I don't cry.

credits

from Kunk in the Kitchen, released April 24, 2016
Everything by Karen Kunkel

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Karen Kunkel Washington

Karen "Unkel" Kunkel:

musician, vocalist, theater artist, creative collaborator, traveler, wanderer, sailor, friend. . .

based around the waters of Puget Sound, yet seen floating and singing and arting it up all across the States, from Bellingham, WA to Brooklyn, NYC and Beyond.

she wishes you love, peace, and laughter.

all at once,
all together
do it
xo
<3
... more

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