“Time it was, and what a time it was. It was.
A time of innocence.
A time of confidences.

Long ago it must be. I have a photograph.
Preserve your memories.
They’re all that’s left you.”

Paul Simon, “Bookends” (text grouping by KPM)

There are only a handful of song lyrics that read as poetry, but I’ve always had an affinity for this one. Some of the affinity is personal – this was one of my father’s favorite songs, a song I once was summoned to the office to sing for him. From a poetic sense, the theme is familiar and the homily obvious. But the conversational simplicity of the writing and the unexpected balancing of ‘innocence” and ‘confidences’ are full of aching nostalgia.