Replies

I may have to take another look at him.

I think it's worth another look. Lots of symbolism and metaphors... Of course the problem with symbols and metaphors is they are not obviously concrete. They can be co-opted to mean just about anything anyone wants which of course is the problem with poetry... or sometimes even "Mission Accomplished" banners. To some the banner praised the hard work of air craft carrier personnel while to others the banner represented well, just about anything Kerry (or Michael Moore, or Dan Rather) happened to be thinking at the moment.

Dylan's answers were always "blowin' in the wind" and it took even him many years to try and understand what he really meant. That's fine, part of the territory with poetry. Likewise, it's part of the process of aging. He was "...much older then but he's younger than that now". As are we all.

I wish that for just one time, you could stand inside my shoes,
And just for that one moment I could be you.
Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes,
You'd know what a drag it is to see you.

"Positively 4th Street" by Bob Dylan

Check out the book "Song and Dance Man," I believe by Michael Gray. Its a really good look at the literary, Biblical, and folk influences he draws on. Dylan draws as much on William Blake and the Old Testament as he does from anything else.