Just Kids

      I have finished reading a memoir called Just Kids by Patti Smith. It chronicles her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, from their first meeting in New York City to Robert's death in 1989 and beyond.
     Johnny Depp calls the book a poetic masterpiece, a treasure chest. I, the reader, unlocked that treasure chest and found great delight at the treasure that was contained within.
     It is the personal journey of two young people who share the love of art, and all artistic expression, but it is also the story of two people who love one another. Nothing can destroy their love, it has even transcended death and lives on.
    This book also intertwines stories of the New York City of the 60's, stories of famous people that Patti met. My favorite story in the book is the story of how she met Sam Shepard. She had gone to the Village Gate, with Todd Rundgren, to hear a band, The Holy Modal Rounders, play. Just to show you the complete and utter charm of this book here are the exact words- "It was like being at an Arabian hoedown with a band of psychedelic hillbillies. I fixed on the drummer, who seemed as if he was on the lam and had slid behind the drums while the cops looked elsewhere."
     Patti subsequently goes on to tell of their introduction, she being told his name was Slim Shadow, and asking him for an interview, which he granted. He would later appear at her door at night, and they would go out and walk around together. She gets run down  and is advised by the doctor to eat red meat. She shoplifts 2 steaks at a store and is on her way home when she runs into Slim on the street, after a bit she admits to him that she has two raw steaks in her pocket, so they go back to her place, fry them up and eat them.
     He is concerned for her, and shows up a couple of nights later to take her out to eat at a place called Max's. While she is sitting there, with a big lobster in front of her, wondering if Slim can pay for the meal, she spies a friend of hers giving her hand signals. Thinking her friend wants some of her lobster she wraps a claw in a napkin, and meets her friend in the restroom. Her friend then informs her she is, in fact, dining with Sam Shepard. She goes back to the table and asks Slim if his name is Sam, his reply. "Oh yes, so it is." At that moment dessert arrives, an ice cream sundae. "Sam is a good name," I said. "It will work."  He said, "Eat your ice cream, Patti Lee."
    This book made me laugh, made me cry and above all filled me with appreciation. Patti truly has written a poetic masterpiece filled with passion. It makes me yearn for more.
link to Patti talking about NY and the beginning of hers and Robert's relationship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33QXPCAdoX8