FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS…

Just listened to Bob Dylan’s “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)” from his Rough and Rowdy Ways album on advice from a dear, dear person. Reminds me of Honolulu with a bit of Waikiki in the 90’s, and, “How come you didn’t fight to stay there with me…?” I need someone to fight for me. Want me that bad. It’s hard to find a Hemingway man. Like a misty dream. Dylan’s coarse voice reminds me of the end of a hard life. His words seem obtuse, as if he’s slowly giving up this world, and hoping the next will be better. I want to cry, but the tears don’t come. Reminds me of Hawaii when I first visited in the ’90s. So many hopes…It’s an evocative song. Haunting even.

It is reminiscent to me of the world in which my three firebrands in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor struggle to find a place — any place — to simply live. Not live simply, but simply live. Survive. No, more than survive, but less than thrive. Enjoy. Drink to the dregs. Consume completely while realizing there’s always infinitely more. Ever more rough, rowdy uncouth ways…