Bowin’ in the Wind?

Author’s Note: Bob Dylan’s song ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ asks,“How many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free?”

Who are these people who’ll sometime,
ALLOW me to be free? ((“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of taking away your freedoms. – Uncle Sam” Jarod Kintz,))
And will they always be right there,
A-watching over me?
And what if they all change their minds,
And cancel their consent?
Will they in their benevolence,
ALLOW me to dissent?

My freedom’s worthless if it’s at,
Another’s beck and call;
What these paternalists ALLOW,
Has no real worth at all.
My freedom is a human right,
I need no others leave;
Those who ALLOW give nothing but,
A freedom to deceive.

So let me say, so’s not to put,
Too fine a point on it;
Those who ALLOW, ain’t really worth,
A bucketful of spit.
So Mr Dylan get it right,
As Zimmerman’s your name;
ALLOW me to help rid you of,
Your mental Zimmer Frame!

Richard is a poet and amateur blues harmonica player who lives in the seaside town of Clacton on England's east coast. He's had approximately 70 poems published in England and Wales as well as a number of articles. He can be reached at: richard-layton@zen.co.uk. Read other articles by Richard.