Simon and Garfunkel: Lyrics as Poetry and Inspiration

Ellen Anmuth, Genetic Counselor and Licensed Psychotherapist, loves music and poetry. Ellen Anmuth has the intention in this article to uplift and inspire my readers.

As a Licensed Psychotherapist, Genetic Counselor and Founder/Creator of “The Language Of Solutions” Self Improvement and Wellness Programs, I have worked with many people since 1975. Happiness is often related to self esteem. With the TV and Internet, comparison to celebrity is commonplace. Most of us are non-celebrities in the broad public eye, but “ordinary” people do amazing acts of excellence in everyday life. My hope and wish is that all people strive to greatness within their scope of influence, and feel good about themselves as a result.

The purpose of this blog, “EllenAnmuth.com” is to highlight the life and contributions of everyday people who make a difference. Ultimately, the goal is to inspire readers to embrace their own potential to do acts of generosity, creativity and kindness in an excellent way, and know that every act of simple excellence leaves a lifetime impact.

One such person I will honor today is my 8th grade English teacher, Mr. Gobel. He was about 5’9″, wore mostly a corderoy sports jacket with suede pads at the elbows. He always had a trim full face beard that was light brown, and his energy exuded an air of Ivy League intellect and humble charm.

I have a BA in Education, and I know that no college program can teach the secret of creativity that Mr. Gobel could easily express every day. If he worked at being outstanding, nobody could tell. His easygoing relaxed way was occasionally punctuated with verbal passion while teaching literature or poetry. Perhaps he had acting training, because he was amazing to watch. The students were fixed and focused by his quiet charisma and riveting teaching.

It was the mid 60’s, and Simon and Garfunkel had their early album out, with songs like, “Patterns”, “For Emily Where I May Find Her”, “I am a Rock”, and other classics. Mr. Gobel decided to teach literature and poetry using the lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkel popular songs.

As a guitar player and lover of music, the chance to analyze lyrics as if it was poetry was profoundly exciting to me. School took on an energy of excitement and joy. Mr. Gobel was magnetic in his intellectual brilliance, and a role model of humility and greatness. Yes, seeing Simon and Garfunkel as poetry expanded my awareness of song lyrics for the rest of my life, and provided a depth that I treasure. It was a perfect prelude to the hippie and Anti Viet Nam War movement that would soon be.

If you ever feel bad about yourself by comparing yourself to others, remember the greatness of Mr. Gobel….a humble intellectual, who made a profound lifetime impact on a class of 8th graders. If you are a teacher, learn to think outside the box and inspire others with intellect, creativity and quiet passion. For all other readers, be your own best self, as excellent as you can be, and make a difference in the world.