On the "Lost Souls List" of Columbia High School 50th Anniversary Committee

Never mind that I've been in touch with the person who's hosting the committee of planners for the CHS 50th Reunion, and she provided my address.  Yesterday I got their February, pre-reunion mailing addressed to Tina Martin and including the "Lost Souls List" with Noelie Jean Martin listed among the females not located.    They didn't know me as Noelie, and I guess that whoever is compiling the list isn't looking in the yearbook that gives both our real names and nicknames.

I could feel a song coming on, and here it is, to the tune of "Tonight, Tonight," from West Side Story.


Lost Soul, Lost Soul!

Lost soul!  Lost soul!  I’m  on the list “Lost Souls”

I soul-ful-ly mourn losing my soul.

My name’s to blame.

My name is not the same

As the one at  my birth long ago.

I tired of always being the weird one,

My “noelie” revered one.

(My rhymes are on a roll.)

So Tina came

To save me from the shame.

Just the same

Bells toll.

Today, most people call me Tina

That doesn’t really mean a

Lot—that I’m not still strange.

But people pounce

And no one can pronounce

Noelie.

Name change!

Lost soul!  Lost soul!

I'm seeking my lost soul.

What Lost and Found 

Will bring it around?

Oh careless me!

I sold my soul.  Could be.

What will I do when I'm Heaven bound?

Don’t tell a single soul I lost it.

Don’t know just where I tossed it.

How can I bare my soul

If it’s not there.

Where can I get a spare?

A lost soul!

Lost soul!