My Back Pages - America

Crimson flames tied through my ears

Rolling high and mighty traps

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

Using ideas as my maps

We’ll meet on edges, soon, said I

Proud 'neath heated brow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth

Rip down all hate, I screamed

Lies that life is black and white

Spoke from my skull.

I dreamed

Romantic facts of musketeers

Foundationed deep, somehow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

At the mongrel dogs who teach

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

In the instant that I preach

My pathway led by confusion boats

Mutiny from stern to bow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

Too noble to neglect

Deceived me into thinking

I had something to protect

Good and bad, I define these terms

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now