When I hear any of the music from West Side Story I am transformed to my college days.

My days in college brought a curve in life’s road.
This small farm boy met the big wild world.
Weeds and grass and cornfields
were replaced by concrete and steel
Horse shows were traded for operas and ballets.
The small high school became a college – a small college

In the lounge of that new school
Where the students came and went
Like the tide at the great oceans.
Teenagers were adjusting to their future life.
Each tried to impress newfound friends.

In the corner of that great formal lounge
sat a fine mahogany stereo.
Although there were many albums
one was playing most any time.
It’s music rings in my ears just like it was today.
“Maria, Maria, I just met a girl named Maria.”
“There’s a place for us…”
West Side Story was planted in my head.

Anytime I hear one of those songs
or see the movie or the play
my mind takes me back to that lounge
in that small college
and it’s yesterday
all over again.