Was listening to Neil Diamond singing, “Husbands and Wives” on my car radio, and heard his words, “Angry words spoken in haste, what a waste of two lives,” when I passed an area by the sea which has couples, sitting close together, holding hands, talking in whispers.

And as I passed it seemed I heard a lover’s tiff, a couple screaming at each other. The crowd seemed to be enjoying the free entertainment, but in my mind’s eye I saw Neil Diamond walking right up to the couple, “Why do you shout in anger?” he asked gently strumming his guitar.

“Because they’ve lost their calm,” sniggered someone from the crowd.

“Why do you have to shout when the other person is just next to you?’ asked Neil. “Isn’t it possible to speak with a soft voice? Why shout when you’re angry?”

“Why?” asked the young woman looking puzzled.

Neil looked at her and smiled, and in his eyes, I saw understanding “When two people are angry with each other, their hearts distance themselves from each other and they shout to hear each other across that great distance they’ve created!”

“But,” continued Neil, “look at the other couples around. They talk softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small!”

I saw the couple look at each other then up at Neil who continued, “When a couple love each other deeply they do not speak, they only whisper and as their love deepens, they don’t even need to whisper, they just look at each other, that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other!”

I saw the crowd nodding, and edging closer to the singer and his guitar as he said, “Children, when you argue do not say words in haste that will then separate you both, for else, there will come a day when same words so hastily spoken will make the distance between so great you will not find the path to return!”

The couple nodded. It was a silent crowd that walked away and left them alone. I saw the lovers looking into each other’s eyes, not needing words anymore to express their love. Their hearts were close again. Neil walked slowly away and up to my car, he picked up his guitar and strummed,

Two broken hearts lonely, looking like houses

Where nobody lives

Two people each having so much pride inside

Neither side forgives

Angry words spoken in haste what a waste of two lives.

It’s my belief, Pride is the chief cause and the decline

In the number of husbands and wives!

I nodded as Neil Diamond’s voice continued on my car radio..!

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