Hear that Robert Zimmerman wrote a song for you – and it’s proper poetry
IHAVE a theory. Seriously, I do. In fact I have an assortment of theories, different prisms through which to view the world and world affairs. In this life it is surely not enough to know things: it helps to feel that knowing is underpinned by understanding. Let me bounce a batch of these theories of you: 1 – Braking is failure. The mechanic I first offered this little gem to responded by looking at me as though psychiatric assistance might be imminently required. He had just advised me that the brake-pads on the old jalopy were worn down and might finally require attention some time soon.
I loftily replied that some time might not be so very soon at all, since I view braking as a failure and the middle pedal is the one least used in my motoring repertoire. Consider, please, that the accelerator is used to build up the vehicle’s momentum and momentum is what gets us from Point A to Point B.
Jam on that middle pedal and the precious momentum is lost. Better for the car and better for fuel economy to glide to a halt rather than revving up to a junction or up to the slow moving lorry in front and then jumping on the brakes. 2 – The Israel/Palestine question is your question. It is your question, my question, everybody’s question, not just a question for the Israelis and Palestinians.
It is horrible to consider how the Palestinians have been treated like dirt, not just for a few years, but for a few generations. I would ask you please, however, not to expect the Israelis to lead the way to a humane solution.
Theirs is a state created by the international community. The way in which this was done by the international community set the fault lines which ensure that the Israelis have no consideration for the Palestinians.
Ultimately it will be up to the international community (which includes you, me and the rest of us) to sort out the problems. And the sooner the better. 3 – Painkillers cause pain. You may have noticed that people who get headaches take pharmaceutical products designed to combat the discomfort. A huge range of well-advertised tablets are on the market to cater for the demand. People who get headaches take painkillers.
But now try reversing this piece of patently obvious: People who take the aspirins, anadins, panadols, whatever, get the headaches. Could it be that, rather than the painkillers chasing the pain, eventually the pain follows the painkillers?
This half baked theory is based on the straw in the wind which is the medicine cabinet at Medders Manor. Open the door of the cabinet to find a heap of half used blister packs of aspirin, anadin, panadol, whatever – none of which is purchased by the man of the house.
Hermione is the one who buys them and Hermione is the one who has the headaches. It is classic chicken-and-egg, so which comes first? Pain or pills? 4 – Song lyrics are poetry for slow learners. I really did think this was my own theory until along came the committee who hand out the Nobel Prize for literature to show that I am not alone.
Never one much bothered to distinguish my Keats from my Shelley, I have long found stimulation instead in the works of Elvis Costello or Cole Porter.
A well turned lyric by Joni Mitchel or Katie Melua may seep its way into my consciousness unbidden, born on the wings of melody.
Had I been among the Nobel decision-makers, then Paul Simon would have been in the running just as much as the songwriter to whom they awarded the laureate, the man whose immortal output includes the following: ‘Great big furry back and a furry hat Ah, think I’ll call him a bat’ Bob Dylan ‘Man Gave Names to All the Animals’ (Slow Train Coming, 1979).
Truly a poetic masterpiece.