And What Shall Ye Say?

Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Words from Bob Dylan’s iconic song, Blowin’ in the Wind

The airways reverberate
vitriolic hatred, spewed humiliation
despicable, visceral crudity.
Not crudité as in aperitif.
Main entré of spoils.

The wildfire is aflame
catching drafts of ignorance.
No longer can we pretend.
These are not embers
quietly waning in desert sand.

We must be the douser,
each by declaring no.
It must not be this way.
It cannot be this way.
It is not this way.

The answer is not blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is us.

Written for dVerse, the virtual pub for poets, where Bjorn is hosting and celebrating announcement of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Bob Dylan. Whether you agree with the selection or not, there is no denying the power his words had for so many during difficult times in America’s history. It seems to me, we are in the midst of trying, frightening times again. This poem is dedicated to Bob Dylan’s genius talent, and to Michelle Obama for having the courage yesterday, to stand up and speak out. 

24 thoughts on “And What Shall Ye Say?

  1. Grace October 14, 2016 / 8:04 am

    Yes, that is exactly what I have in mind too. No, its not this way and answer lies in us. Good one Lillian and it seems this song is the most popular one in this poetry trail ~

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  2. Sherry Blue sky October 14, 2016 / 9:24 am

    “The answer is us.” How true that is. I love the power in that line.

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  3. Brian October 14, 2016 / 9:31 am

    I agree, the answer to all the hate is to say ‘us’ don’t feel that way.

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  4. Sanaa Rizvi October 14, 2016 / 9:52 am

    The answer is us. Most definitely ❤️ a power-packed tribute, Lillian 🙂

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  5. Laura Bloomsbury October 14, 2016 / 10:04 am

    phew! ‘Main entré of spoils.’ – now that’s what I call protest

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  6. Victoria C. Slotto October 14, 2016 / 1:59 pm

    Spot on, Lillian. This is my favorite of Dylan’s compositions. I have been turning on classical music in an effort to avoid news. Escapism, I suppose.

    Liked by 1 person

    • lillian October 16, 2016 / 9:02 am

      Yes — I’ve been reading novels. Take a peek at my post today and hopefully it will give you a chuckle, even though it’s a political commentary with tongue in cheek.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) October 14, 2016 / 2:27 pm

    This is perfect, and we need to stop waiting for the wind providing the solution… we need to look at us. Maybe we have a little piece of this inside each one of us.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. paulscribbles October 14, 2016 / 6:38 pm

    A call to action!!! Just let me finish this whisky and I’ll be right there. Ahem 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Glenn Buttkus October 14, 2016 / 10:38 pm

    Meta-physicists say,” Look within, for the answers to the questions of the universe are an inside job”. So big on, damn rights. As poets we are obligated to accept the gadfly loose cannon roles. I applaud your sentiments & conclusions; like the lines /the wildfire is aflame/catching drafts of ignorance/.

    Liked by 1 person

    • lillian October 16, 2016 / 9:07 am

      Thanks, Glenn. So appreciate your words here. Know you don’t peek at my posts, other than dVerse days…but do think you would like today’s : Rotting Fruit. It’s right up your alley, I think 🙂

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  10. mother wintermoon October 15, 2016 / 12:23 am

    Power to the people! Very apropos. Great use of the prompt to send a sad and much needed message. x

    Liked by 1 person

  11. ZQ October 15, 2016 / 10:28 pm

    Well 🙂 you got that right!

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  12. Bryan Ens October 17, 2016 / 8:35 am

    You and I, and a lot of other poets, it seems, disagree with Dylan about the answers blowin’ in the wind.

    Liked by 1 person

    • lillian October 17, 2016 / 8:48 am

      Yes…..was a different age.

      Like

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