Postmarked Birmingham

Definitely a "b" side song.  I think most of the good ones are the "b" side stuff.  For those of you not familiar with the terminology.  B side is the other side of the record no one listens to.  Most often, for good reason.  Occasionally a gem is unearthed deep within the vinyl and a good song rises to the surface.  This is a song sung by Henry Paul.  Here is a bit of flea market trivia.  Henry Paul was also the lead singer of a popular group called "the outlaws" from the 70s.  Who woulda thunk it?

So the song was written by Phil Vasser and Don Sampson.  And I believe it is a powerful song.  A song about love, relationships, and seeking deeper meaning.  Wait a sec....  Doesn't that sound like every blog post I agonize you with?  Grab a cup of joe, and check out this powerful last verse:

Every day down by the mailbox 
Standin' on the curb I check 
The upper right hand corner 
Of every piece of mail I get 
Hopin' there's that certain circle 
Through the word 'Love' on a stamp 
Postmarked Birmingham

So we meet the protagonist late in the song.  Alone.  Waiting for some word, again, from someone he/she loves, who decided to leave.  For whatever their reason, they are gone.  The protagonist received a letter earlier in the song asking for his forgiveness and attempting to explain it all.  So now, with no other option, he waits everyday for another letter, hoping to reconnect.  We are left to wonder just how long he waits at that mailbox.  So it begs the question in the most ethereal of senses, what is your mailbox?

Or more important, what is your letter?  I think we can talk ourselves into any delusion we want.  Ultimately, our subconscious has us standing on curb waiting for the realities letter.  Ever had a situation, especially a relationship, where the most important emotions go unsaid?  Finally, the cork blows and both of you look at each other, disarmed by the truth and you realize that the only thing you have in common is the distance between you?  Reality just made it delivery.  How about a job, you know the guillotine awaits, yet you go through the motions.  Padding the chair because of feigned responsibility?   So you finally get the walk of shame down to the conference hall, the phony smile, lame excuse and a severance package.  Reality just made it's delivery.  But what about the things we wait at that curb that never come?  Where we just accept the fact that things are the way they are and they aren't going to change.  Andy Dufrense from Shawshank had enough of that curb waiting.  Maybe that letter will set us free.