I'm Only Bleeding

and a little story from last summer that involved Stars, above and around my head, big Rocks - Big Lake and Big Fall.

Bob Dylan 

wrote a Song called It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)  in 1964 - was released Jan of 1965,

it described his frustration with the government during the Turbulent times.  A few of the Famous Quotes from this song of the nearly 700 we know of that he wrote.  "He not busy being born is busy dying," "Money doesn't talk, it swears," "Although the masters make the rules, for the wise men and the fools" and "But even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked."  hopefully we'll be spared seeing this of the current rum head that some believe is running the show, but I think it's Obama's 3rd term - they got a pigeon to go along with the game, but I know nothing, that's the Only thing I can really be certain I know, when I don't Know.  Every time I think I know something comes along to reveal to my heart I did not know, not a damn thing.  I digress.  So my little story about this song, I've enjoyed for years thou my favorite is Tangled Up In Blue.  So on the Shore of Lake superior, in Marquette at the park where just off shore is Picnic Rocks. One beautiful evening with All the Stars dancing in the Sky I went there late in the evening - about 11 pm to 12.  Well all the picnic tables that look out toward the rocks were all occupied by young and old lovers gazing up, I listened to a good tune in my camper van.  And then I thought I'll walk over and drop down that little hill that goes down to the shoreline and lay there and check out all my Friends shining down on us.  So I made my way over, hummin' a few songs not to interrupt the 6 or 7 couples at the tables.  and everything was goin' as planned until I stumbled on a rock - it was so dark I did not realize the big rocks that were piled there to break the waves as Superior is rising in height - unlike most lakes and reservoirs in the states.  The beach was all taken and the sand bar to the picnic islands in a storm in 2017 I think it was  - 30 foot waves man.  so I kept going down wanting to get near the water , stumbled again, then went another step and this Huge granite rock took me out and I learned that these rocks don't move when a human head crashes into them...  I managed to get my body off of the rocks and sit back and just be for a bit - after a few minutes.  After I gathered myself and realized the left side of my face was damaged by the rock didn't know how bad cuz I could not see a thing.  dazed and confused I tried to relax and then I sang out - It's Alright Ma ... I'm Only Bleeding - and then I wrote a song singing it for a few minutes and finally I decided to try and navigate back up the hill of granite boulders, it was only about 20 feet maybe 30 at most but it took me a while, just feeling my way on hands and knees trying to stay down not to attract attention of couples nearby.  So what I did next once I got back to flatter ground, I walked over about 100 yards to McCarty's Cove beach and took off my shoes, socks and shirt - I had my swimsuit on - to get down and put some water on my aching face - praying I was not too mangled by the Granite Monster.  So the water felt so good - it was warm - warmer than the night air, so I went out and got to Shoulder deep and got as much water on my face to help numb it a bit too, besides cleaning it which is always a good thing to do, I sang a couple songs out there and then made my way in and got back to the camper van to change into my jeans and another shirt.  Morale of  the story is remember where the big rocks are and stay off of them when it's pitch black out.  But It's Alright  Ma - I was only bleeding - I packed my face with a triple antibiotic ointment for the next few days and I healed up my face really quickly.

It's All Right Ma, ( I'm Only Bleeding)

Darkness at the break of noon

Shadows even the silver spoon The handmade blade, the child’s balloon Eclipses both the sun and moon To understand you know too soon There is no sense in trying
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn Suicide remarks are torn From the fool’s gold mouthpiece the hollow horn Plays wasted words, proves to warn That he not busy being born is busy dying Temptation’s page flies out the door You follow, find yourself at war Watch waterfalls of pity roar You feel to moan but unlike before You discover that you’d just be one more Person crying
So don’t fear if you hear A foreign sound to your ear It’s alright, Ma, I’m only sighing
As some warn victory, some downfall Private reasons great or small Can be seen in the eyes of those that call To make all that should be killed to crawl While others say don’t hate nothing at all Except hatred
Disillusioned words like bullets bark As human gods aim for their mark Make everything from toy guns that spark To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark It’s easy to see without looking too far That not much is really sacred
While preachers preach of evil fates Teachers teach that knowledge waits Can lead to hundred-dollar plates Goodness hides behind its gates But even the president of the United States Sometimes must have to stand naked
An’ though the rules of the road have been lodged It’s only people’s games that you got to dodge And it’s alright, Ma, I can make it
Advertising signs they con You into thinking you’re the one That can do what’s never been done That can win what’s never been won Meantime life outside goes on All around you
You lose yourself, you reappear You suddenly find you got nothing to fear Alone you stand with nobody near When a trembling distant voice, unclear Startles your sleeping ears to hear That somebody thinks they really found you
A question in your nerves is lit Yet you know there is no answer fit To satisfy, insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget That it is not he or she or them or it That you belong to
Although the masters make the rules For the wise men and the fools I got nothing, Ma, to live up to
For them that must obey authority That they do not respect in any degree Who despise their jobs, their destinies Speak jealously of them that are free Cultivate their flowers to be Nothing more than something they invest in
While some on principles baptized To strict party platform ties Social clubs in drag disguise Outsiders they can freely criticize Tell nothing except who to idolize And then say God bless him
While one who sings with his tongue on fire Gargles in the rat race choir Bent out of shape from society’s pliers Cares not to come up any higher But rather get you down in the hole That he’s in
But I mean no harm nor put fault On anyone that lives in a vault But it’s alright, Ma, if I can’t please him
Old lady judges watch people in pairs Limited in sex, they dare To push fake morals, insult and stare While money doesn’t talk, it swears Obscenity, who really cares Propaganda, all is phony
While them that defend what they cannot see With a killer’s pride, security It blows the minds most bitterly For them that think death’s honesty Won’t fall upon them naturally Life sometimes must get lonely
My eyes collide head-on with stuffed Graveyards, false gods, I scuff At pettiness which plays so rough Walk upside-down inside handcuffs Kick my legs to crash it off Say okay, I have had enough what else can you show me?

And if my thought-dreams could be seen They’d probably put my head in a guillotine But it’s alright, Ma, it’s life, and life only

Copyright

© 1965 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1993 by Special Rider Music

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Ouch. The story about the rock was brutal. Dylan is often portrayed as a poetic genius and he is a national treasure. But he was also a pompous little snit at one point in time as revealed in a video on YouTube where he is riding in the back of John Lennon's Rolls Royce (I think the video caption says "taxi") but the intoxicated conversation reveals some serious character flaws in the genius of Dylan like jealousy and a spoiled Prima Donna personality. Lennon doesn't actually call him on it but the tone of the conversation is self-explanatory. I enjoyed the read.

[Healing Star]

I've seen that car ride - He's a moody son of a - but the man wrote some amazing s**t, and it spoke to a generation in the midst of a time that felt a lot like this actually - if you're old enough - you might like on of the first poems I wrote Phoenix Rising : End Of War it was in 2012 or early 2013 - it was quite a write for me - I was listenin' and watching a GrandFunk Railroad live recording on YouTube and I was writing like - They left it All on the Floor - they follewed the Drummer and they left it all out there holdin' nothin Back - and half way thru this Energy came to and just started taking over what we were writing about and it was him writing it - It must have been someone that had to get stuff of that time out of him = because it turned to amazing lyrics like Roll the Banner of Truth out in Front and the Old Banner left behind - We could not keep looking at all that was going on there - body bag counts each night - we had to turn away the pain was just too great. stuff like that - and about if you were there then - and turned away it's not too late cuz we'll be The Phoenix rising from the Ashes Now and we'll today stand and stop their ware. I've seen him 3 times = the first was at a ski resort in utah - and it rained like hell and then quit just before they came out - and then it stayed good - we thought we were good eating a barbeque sandwhich under our rain ponchos until we felt the water coming off the hill and right to our asses - ha ha - and then on the last song - Like a Rolling Stone - it broke loose again - I remember walking out seeing this lady in heals - just loosin' her shoes in the mud. The best one was at The Hard Rock in Vegas - he mostly lays back on the organ these days - but the last song was All Along The Watch Tower and he came out front Guitbox pickin' - and he played Harp on about 4 songs - I love the sound of Bob on the Harp. Take care - Enjoy the Ride

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've never seen Bob live. My brother saw him and said he was really disappointed. I've seen his son Jakob with The Wallflowers in concert. They opened for Eric Clapton. They were so loud there was a lot of distortion and I couldn't enjoy the music. Clapton was phenomenal though.

[Coyote Poetry]

I am listening to the song now my friend. The song is a classic. I liked your words and thoughts. Hello from Michigan and thank you for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Healing Star]

thanks Coyote - it's been summer home for us - may be becoming permanent if I can sell in Utah - my daughter bought a summer home on Lake Superior - we may make it our permanent - and we still have the farm about 45 minutes from the new one.

[Coyote Poetry]

Lake Superior is so beautiful. I love to visit the Upper Michigan. You are welcome my dear friend.