I, too, am surprised that so few people have commented on this song. Paul Simon will always continue to awe me with his lyrics, no matter how many times I listen to these songs. Even just today it finally hit me why rhyming "old friends" with "bookends" is one of the most emotionally moving combination of words I have ever heard. I have heard this song so many times, but when I thought about the concept of old friends being like bookends, it really hit me. I used to think it was just imagery to show how the friends are just sitting in silence on a park bench. But think about it. Bookends hold books together that contain stories. The image of old friends being like bookends is so incredibly true and moving. Two old friends, sitting on a park bench, countless stories and memories between them.
You are absolutely right. The longevity and strength of old friends as bookends, to me, is enhanced by the imagery of a world rushing by as these two men sit still. First there's the newspaper, its daily trivialities carried by the wind, hitting upon three adjectives - round toes, high shoes, old friends - that stand the test of time. Then there's the just as ephemeral sounds of the city that settle like dust, come to a standstill, on their shoulders.
You are absolutely right. The longevity and strength of old friends as bookends, to me, is enhanced by the imagery of a world rushing by as these two men sit still. First there's the newspaper, its daily trivialities carried by the wind, hitting upon three adjectives - round toes, high shoes, old friends - that stand the test of time. Then there's the just as ephemeral sounds of the city that settle like dust, come to a standstill, on their shoulders.
I, too, am surprised that so few people have commented on this song. Paul Simon will always continue to awe me with his lyrics, no matter how many times I listen to these songs. Even just today it finally hit me why rhyming "old friends" with "bookends" is one of the most emotionally moving combination of words I have ever heard. I have heard this song so many times, but when I thought about the concept of old friends being like bookends, it really hit me. I used to think it was just imagery to show how the friends are just sitting in silence on a park bench. But think about it. Bookends hold books together that contain stories. The image of old friends being like bookends is so incredibly true and moving. Two old friends, sitting on a park bench, countless stories and memories between them.
Absolutely brilliant.
You are absolutely right. The longevity and strength of old friends as bookends, to me, is enhanced by the imagery of a world rushing by as these two men sit still. First there's the newspaper, its daily trivialities carried by the wind, hitting upon three adjectives - round toes, high shoes, old friends - that stand the test of time. Then there's the just as ephemeral sounds of the city that settle like dust, come to a standstill, on their shoulders.
You are absolutely right. The longevity and strength of old friends as bookends, to me, is enhanced by the imagery of a world rushing by as these two men sit still. First there's the newspaper, its daily trivialities carried by the wind, hitting upon three adjectives - round toes, high shoes, old friends - that stand the test of time. Then there's the just as ephemeral sounds of the city that settle like dust, come to a standstill, on their shoulders.