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Thursday, October 20, 2016

The Challenge Remains

He made it
simple yet profound,

like a still pond,
a crow flying away,
a night hiding stars,
a misunderstood sob,
a narcotic slumber,
a perfectly-sweetened coffee,
a silent funeral,
humble, serving love,
electric anticipation,
a familiar embrace,
the dog dancing hello,
the crack of the bat,
new music from old strings.

I first heard him
when I was 17
and the challenge
remains steadfast:

he not busy
being born
is busy dying.
[Written for Kerry at Real Toads - the line comes from my favorite Bob Dylan song "It's Alright, MA, I'm Only Bleeding." Time to listen to it again. ]

19 comments:

  1. This is so cool!

    Love this section:
    "a misunderstood sob,
    a narcotic slumber,
    a perfectly-sweetened coffee,
    a silent funeral"

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  2. what a rush of bluffs and scorn, of words, of being born. this prompt was profundity.

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  3. Love the stream, it matches the song so well.

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  4. And aren't we all busy dying? Excellent tribute to Dylan.

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  5. Anonymous6:41 PM

    Love those fleeting images..

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  6. Gayle Walters Rose7:20 PM

    I was probably about the same age when I first heard his music. Such a unique voice (writing wise)...superb lyrics with enlightening messages.

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  7. You have summed this up perfectly, B.

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  8. Love how you weaved with Dylan's words.

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  9. Anonymous12:55 AM

    humble, serving love.

    this i aspire to, to be born into
    again.

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  10. He changed our lives. The last stanza is very important.

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  11. Wonderful, Buddah! Your list is so aptly worded and shows what an amazing influence a poet can have on the intellectual lives of their generation.

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  12. Love your take here, Mosk! He is for sure an acquired taste!

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  13. Cool take on Dylan!

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  14. I agree with Kerry on this one! I love those lines:
    'a crow flying away'
    'a misunderstood sob'
    and
    'new music from old strings'
    which sum up Dylan for me.

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  15. A righteous tribute.

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  16. Lucky enough to see him live, years ago in Minneapolis! An icon. Love your take on the prompt.

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  17. He is the top layer, must like his Mom.
    Silent funeral, dog dancing hello, nice ways
    but I take my coffee black, I like the taste.
    ..

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  18. Great song, and one i had forgotten about. many overdue la las to you dear friend.

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  19. Nice one

    much love...

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