The Nature of Things

Well, that was a surprise. Only yesterday I was in a discussion about who might win the Nobel Prize for Literature this year and speculating on whether it might be the first American to win the prize since Toni Morrison in 1993. My contribution to the discussion was that there was not the least chance that it would be an American. My record as a prophet is intact. On the other hand, when you think about it, the only appropriate response seems to be "What took them so long?" After all, he has catalogued our lives and made unique poetry from our chaotic culture for more than fifty years. I can hardly even remember a time when I wasn't listening to that poetry and thinking, "Yes! He got it just right!" Bob Dylan was and is truly the bard of my generation of Americans. He has spoken for us on so many occasions when it was hard to find our voice and has given us a rallying point for understanding and moving forward in the interesting era in which we live. He was reco...

Seventy-two years ago today Robert Allen Zimmerman was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Yes, the musical icon of  my generation, Bob Dylan, is 72 years old today. Back in the '60s when we both were young, 72 seemed far, far away and ancient. Today, it gets closer every year and seems quite young actually. Maybe 70 is the new 50. Anyway, over the years, Bob has said it all in song. His songs are the background music of my life. And one of his songs that I have always loved seems particularly appropriate today. He wrote it for his children but it has meaning for all of us. Here he is in a performance of "Forever Young," backed up by his friend Bruce Springsteen. Thanks for all the music, Bob, and happy birthday. May your song always be sung.