Answers to the Questions Bob Dylan Poses in ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’
Q: “How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?”
A: If the roads are very long and take one year to walk down, then 18 roads.
Q: “How many seas must the white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand?”
A: None. She is a dove and doves don’t sail, they fly. Also, birds sleep in nests. This is a stupid question.
Q: “How many times must the cannon balls fly before they’re forever banned?”
A: Depends who you ask. Switzerland would say zero times. Germany or America would say a lot more times.
Q: “How many years can a mountain exist before it’s washed to the sea?”
A: It varies depending on the mountain chain. For example, in New Zealand, the prevailing westerly winds that buffet the islands are a major factor in erosion, along with precipitation, temperature changes, and rock falls. Still, it takes millions of years, so Mr. Dylan is probably fine to go mountain climbing (which I assume is why he asked this).
Q: “How many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free?”
A: Define “free,” Mr. Dylan. These questions are very vague and arbitrary. No wonder no one’s bothered to answer them.
Q: “How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?”
A: Oh, this one’s easy: 343,891 times. Possibly more, depending on how long the man lives.
Q: “How many times must a man look up before he can see the sky?”
A: One.
Q: “How many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?”
A: Ideally two ears, especially to hear people crying in stereo, but one will suffice.
Q: “How many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died?”
A: Of wealthy white Americans? One or two deaths. Of underrepresented minorities, the less fortunate, schoolchildren, and foreigners? A lot more.
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Michael A. Ferro’s debut novel, TITLE 13, will be published by Harvard Square Editions in February 2018. He received an Honorable Mention from Glimmer Train for their New Writers Award and he is a contributor to Splitsider and featured writer for Points in Case. Michael’s fiction has appeared in numerous journals in both print and online. Born and bred in Detroit, Michael has lived, worked, and written throughout the Midwest; he currently resides in rural Ann Arbor, Michigan. Additional information can be found at: www.michaelaferro.com and @MichaelFerro.
