Taylor Swift continually appeals to the next generation of young women in a way no other artist has ever done. So it’s hard to say who should be paying homage to whom, in my humble old lady opinion.
This piece fits well with your thoughts on the power of aging. Out of respect like Taylor Swift, we should all let the great artists sing until they no longer have a voice. Should I stop hiking because I’m not in my prime anymore? Of course not.
"Maybe the bigger questions are these: Do we want them to stop? Aren’t they still influencing all of us?"
And here's another question? Why pay any attention at all to the monkey chatter, the people snarky enough to say it's time for our greatest artists to "pack it in," those clearly untalented naysayers (where's their earth-shattering work??) My mom would have said "Consider the source."
As for Taylor Swift shining a light on poetry and on the poets who have distilled the essence of living into beautifully haunting words.... I say "Go, girlfriend!" I heard that she is a distant relative of the amazing Emily Dickinson. And how perfect is that.
OMG this was part of our dinner table convo last night ( sans Swift). Ie Frank’s last concert—Joni, Dylan, the others. Somehow you were listening. It’s cosmic.
My take. They should each keep going as long as they like. We know what we’re paying for—and it’s much more than the voice at the moment.
Taylor Swift continually appeals to the next generation of young women in a way no other artist has ever done. So it’s hard to say who should be paying homage to whom, in my humble old lady opinion.
Just read David Whyte’s poem in which he says: “You are not leaving.
Even as the light fades quickly now,
you are arriving.” That’s the power of aging
This piece fits well with your thoughts on the power of aging. Out of respect like Taylor Swift, we should all let the great artists sing until they no longer have a voice. Should I stop hiking because I’m not in my prime anymore? Of course not.
"Maybe the bigger questions are these: Do we want them to stop? Aren’t they still influencing all of us?"
And here's another question? Why pay any attention at all to the monkey chatter, the people snarky enough to say it's time for our greatest artists to "pack it in," those clearly untalented naysayers (where's their earth-shattering work??) My mom would have said "Consider the source."
As for Taylor Swift shining a light on poetry and on the poets who have distilled the essence of living into beautifully haunting words.... I say "Go, girlfriend!" I heard that she is a distant relative of the amazing Emily Dickinson. And how perfect is that.
Haven’t heard the song or much of Taylor Swift, but this essay makes perfect sense without Swiftiana.
OMG this was part of our dinner table convo last night ( sans Swift). Ie Frank’s last concert—Joni, Dylan, the others. Somehow you were listening. It’s cosmic.
My take. They should each keep going as long as they like. We know what we’re paying for—and it’s much more than the voice at the moment.
Paul, my life is in every crack & thin note.
Your writing here is, as always, a pleasure to read.