Dear Abby, My Father, and John Prine

My father had a thing for Dear Abby: 

she gave the damnedest advice, 

but mad people needed someone to listen …  

When I played Dear Abby 

he instantly recognized Mr Prine 

as a kindred traveler --

though he never was much for illegal smiles. 

Ken e Bujold

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I guess Abby was the beginning of it all, the laying bare of dirty laundry. I'm not familiar with John Prine, however, so I can't relate to the latter portion of this poem. It's always nice when someone leaves a lasting impression. In return, you have immortalized him in words. Well done.

[Ken e Bujold]

thank you Linda. I could only wish I had half the talent, make that a tenth of the talent of John Prine. One of, if not the best scapels of wit the modern age has seen. Google him. Prine was a folk singer-songwriter of unbelievable talent.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you. I did and started to listen to "Illegal Smiles" before being distracted by the fact that he died of COVID two years ago. (sigh!)

[Lorry]

I only know John Prince from the song "The day is done" from my favourite episode of my name is Earl. The pinky episode.
I don't know dear A by, but know their ilk. I also know a few who would nod in agreement at the illegal smiles line.
I used to think those letters must have been made up, but now I know people better, I wish I didn't 😊

[Coyote Poetry]

I have listen to John Prine. I have enjoyed his song and I enjoyed the poetry. My family, filled with mad people also. Thank you Ken for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[W. Barrett Munn]

I admit to unfamiliarity with John Prine but in the explanation you gave I now see your wit once again highlighted.

Winston

[Ken e Bujold]

you would love john prine. witty, but oh so on the mark when it came to explaining life

[John the Baptist]

I recall both Dear Abby and her sister, Ann Landers. People wrote the damndest letters to them, such as where is the proper place to squeeze a toothpaste tube. I also recall Prine's song, each verse of which ended with Abby's retort, "You have no complaint/ you are what you are and you ain't what you ain't./Now listen up, Buster. and listen up good/ Quit wishing for bad luck and knocking on wood." Made me laugh.

[carl]

fun nostalgic read, thanks for the memories, still enjoy Mr. Prine, a great comprehender (sp?) of people and American life.

[Chris Shaw]

We had Marjorie Proops back in in the sixties. She had a newspaper column. She gave sound advice to anyone brought up in a straight jacket. If you were more liberal thinking you wouldn’t bother. It seems both these people touched your father in different ways.I don’t know your Mr Prine, but I guess your father was entertained by both of them. It’s nice to reflect on parents and the generation gaps. A good evening from the UK Ken. Seven lines and yet much to ponder on and smile about.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

A joke from the sixties ran, "A dad says to his hippie son, Boy, why you want to smoke that pot and wear those weird clothes for? If you want a "high" just take a drink like a "real" man, have some Wild Turkey or some Old Crow. To which the son replies, Heck, Pops, I don't want to "fly" I just want to "hop" a little." I remember Ann Landers telling people not to throw rice at weddings because birds would eat it and "explode". And so many people believed her! The rice industry lost stock because of a nut offering advice. (laughing) I enjoyed the read. F.

[Stuart Munro]

I love this , Ken , I’m a listener of John Prine music , illegal smiles , I like that line ,
Mad people need someone to listen too , I like that line

[willweb]

My friend, I am not sure that I understand this piece...actually I know I do not understand it. I do know who Dear Abby is but the message I am lost on.

[Ken e Bujold]

no message really other than generational drift. my dad was huge fan of dear abby...which he would read every morning, out loud no less. when i played him dear abby he fell in love with John Prine, but he was a straight arrow, so the whole notion of an illegal smile, (john prine song) whether from weed, or MORPHINE OR H ... i bet he is rollling over in his grave at me just mentioning that s**t lol

[willweb]

Ok, I get it. Thanks so much for bringing all of that into focus for me. That was funny. : )