Floater (Too Much to Ask)

When you get this old,

You get less sentimental

About everything.

"Floater (Too Much to Ask)" is one of those old-fashioned songs that could have come out 80 years ago, thought he lyrics are decidedly Dylanesque and modern. The song contains 16 verses, none of which seem to relate to each other, other than a recurring reference to living like a contrarian when people try to get the singer to do one thing or another. The title comes from the last verse when Dylan observes that it's not easy to kick someone out (of your home, I guess), and that it's unpleasant task. Sometimes, he says, someone wnats you to give something up, and even if they cry about it, "it's too much to ask."

Other contrary stuff in the song:

- Sometimes old men around here get on bad terms with the young men, but age doesn't mean anything anyway.

- One of the boss's hangers-on tries to bully you and inspire you with fear, but it has the opposite effect.

- His father is like a feudal lord and has more lives than a cat. He's never argued once with his wife, and as Dylan says, "Things come alive or they fall flat."

- Romeo tells Juliet her complexion makes her look old. Juliet replies: "Shove off if it bothers you so much."

- Bob says that if you interfere with him or cross him, your life could be in danger. He's not as cool or forgiving as he sounds, he says.

There are other verses that say other things, but it feels like this is the right way to go with the haiku.