That’s the title of one of the epic films of my time, and It chronicles one of the epic periods in my life. The image above is, of course, one of Bob Dylan, and the title of this post is also the title of the new film about him and his career.
“They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker, the other is in his pants
And the riot squad they’re restless, they need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight, from Desolation Row”
I chose these lyrics to “Desolation Row” out of all the stunning lyrics Dylan has written [Yes, I say “has written” because they guy’s still writing] because it typifies in some ways the tenor and vision of his work. He not only creates a lyric but, a setting, a place you’re compelled to go if you dare. Where and what is Desolation Row? What about Highway 61, where God commands Abraham to kill him a son? are these places of such unbridled cruelty that human existence is meaningless or cruel or both? Whatever it is, it’s what the title of the movie is. Like the line from “A Rolling Stone,” it’s a complete unknown, just as Dylan himself is. Nothing like him before or since.
“Yes I received your letter yesterday about the time the doorknob broke. You asked me how I was doing. Was that some kind of joke?” I’m not going to let you in, in other words,but i hope you somehow have a good time.
I spent half the movie with a lump in my throat. Probably no one much younger than I had that reaction. The film embodies a time when my generation was overflowing with hope and certainty that times were indeed changing, and changing for the better. A lot better.That we were going the way of Kennedy and Peter, Paul and Mary. We somehow thought we’d conquer all the assassinations and that horrible war enter a new era of energy and insight into ourselves and our generation and bring the rest of the world along with us. So far it hasn’t happened, and at my age, I don’t suppose I’ll see it if it does.
In the meantime, I’ve been able witness one of the great poets of our age speak in a language we all understood, even if, on examination, this words are so complex that they remain mysterious even though we all know their meaning. And if that’s a contradiction, then it is that. Walt Whitman said it best. “If I contradict myself, then I contradict myself. I contain multitudes.” And so do I and Dylan and the whole age.
I’m thankful beyond measure for the movie, the age, and all the wonder I was privileged to witness–nay to participate in.
