[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Well, your nephew is partially right.

I grew up on Zimmerman (Dylan is a marketing ploy from Madison Ave.) and thought he was a genius and all that.

After I studied English and got a degree in it (a real degree, not an honorary degree) and have been studying American literature and poetry fervently for these past 30 years, I realize that Zimmerman really just copied the voice of all the Imagists, aided with a bit of weed.

Yes, very pretty, poetic sounds. Strong images.

But throughout the 20th century there were poets who wrote just as beautifully who actually said something.

Zimmerman compared to Yeats, to Dylan Thomas, even to Robert Frost? No comparison.

Poetry has to convey a meaning, other wise it is nothing more than the “jingle jangle” clang of cymbals.

[af_vet_1981]

But throughout the 20th century there were poets who wrote just as beautifully who actually said something.

Zimmerman compared to Yeats, to Dylan Thomas, even to Robert Frost? No comparison.

Poetry without music is like a coral reef without fish; they belong together and one complements the beauty of the other.