My Gen X Playlist: Even Flow – Pearl Jam

Daily writing prompt

Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.

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I got a job working in downtown Los Angeles early in my career. I eventually tired of the hour commute and decided to move to downtown to get a few hours of my life back. My move was right on the cusp before downtown was gentrifying and was still a mix of a lot of cultures and social classes. It was great. I enjoyed the sense of community and frequented the local business in the neighborhood as much as I could. It was not uncommon for me to work long hours and get a bite at a local restaurant instead of making dinner at the end of the day. I had a few favorites nearby that I would rotate.

One evening, I was having dinner at a local Japanese restaurant and I watched the owner give a take out container to an elderly homeless woman outside. I learned that she occasionally gave the woman a bowl of rice for dinner in the evening. That broke my heart as I thought how difficult it must be living on the streets, especially at her age. I felt a little guilty that I was having a full meal while she was grateful for a hot bowl of rice. Before I left, I asked the owner if I could open up a weekly tab for her. I’d treat her to a meal every week and would come in each week to settle up. I knew it wasn’t much, but at least she could have one hot meal that she could count on. I kept the tab open for awhile, but slowly the elderly woman came in less and less until she stopped coming by altogether. I’m not sure what happened to her and eventually I moved out of downtown. I haven’t thought about her in years. These daily prompts have a way of stirring back memories.

I loved Pearl Jam when grunge came out in the 90’s. It was such a different sound and vibe. On Pearl Jam’s first album, Even Flow tells the story of a homeless veteran that Eddie Vedder met outside during rehearsals. He would buy him a sandwich and eat together in the early years. The homeless veteran passed away before the release of Even Flow and never knew he was part of the song. Such a sad story and it reminds me of the elderly woman downtown.

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Freezing
Rests his head on a pillow made of concrete, again
Oh, feeling
Maybe he'll see a little better, set of days, ooh yeah
Oh, hand out
Faces that he sees time again ain't that familiar, oh yeah
Oh, dark grin
He can't help, when he's happy he looks insane, hm yeah

Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away
Oh, someday yet, he'll begin his life again
Life again, life again

Kneeling
Looking through the paper though he doesn't know to read, oh yeah
Oh, praying
Now to something that has never showed him anything
Oh, feeling
Understands the weather of the winters on its way
Oh, ceilings
Few and far between all the legal halls of shame, hey

Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away
Oh, someday yet, he'll begin his life again
...Ah, whispering hands, gently lead him away
Him away, him away

Yeah!
Woo, ah yeah... fuck it up

Hey man, you got a dollar?
Come on, just some spare change, man, I know you got
Well, God bless you, man, God bless you

Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away
Oh, someday yet, he'll begin his life again
Oh, whispering hands, gently lead him away
Him away, him away... yeah!
Woo, ah yeah