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Still Crazy on West 70th Street
Meeting Paul Simon
I met Paul Simon on the street today.
He was walking down West 70th in a Yankees cap and denim jacket, leaning on Edie Brickell’s arm.
I was listening to Sound of Silence.
As the words came into my headphones, I suddenly recognized the face that was passing me as though an angel had appeared.
“Hello Darkness, my old friend…”
“Oh, my God,” I muttered as they passed.
I turned back.
“God bless you, Paul.”
Edie looked.
“He can’t hear you, but I’ll tell him!”
Paul stopped and turned around. I took off my headphones and stepped closer. I bowed my head a little and repeated —
“God bless you, Paul. I’m so grateful for your precious music. I was just listening to Sound of Silence. Still Crazy After All These Years kept me alive so many times.”
He laughed, able to hear me now that I was closer.
“Well, thank you, young man. That’s very kind of you to say. People like you keep me alive, too.”
I began to tear up.
