Joanne

The lyrics are a bit wrong, here...

..."And she TOUCHED me for a moment" (why "touch'd", here? pretty, but. . .)... ..."With a look that spoke to me of her sweet LONG"... ..."For Joanne and the man and the time that made them both RUN" (every time it's this line, it's "RUN"; the word "wrong" does not appear in these lyrics at all)... ..."light THROUGH a prism" ("thru" is kind of not respecting the poet, Michael Nesmith, to me, anyways)... ..."THOUGH the essence is gone. . .no TEARS to cry for her. . .my only THOUGHTS of her ARE kind"...

I am a peaceful, romantic soul, and am therefore very sorry if I seem like an unnecessary stickler, today. Still, I truly love Michael Nesmith's way with poetry, and must help it to be properly preserved through the ages.
--One's duty indeed, in return for the joy of foraying into his (therefore one's very own) World, is to recognize how lovingly & meticulously he chooses his words, and to therefore make every effort to preserve his intention--and well.

[Even songs such as "Different Drum" (which he wrote & gave to The Stone Poneys--you know, Linda Ronstadt singing?) have original, often-surprising lyrics. These are meant to paint vivid pictures on the surfaces of open minds--pictures reminiscent & echoing enough to sink into our secret hearts and "bring us back". He woos, speaks to, remembers with us in quiet tones and terms that are masterfully open-ended for all their specificity. Those gentle hues, both precise and subtle--he's simply a Great in his skill at leaving the emotion up to listeners' imaginations, thereby & magically calling up "strangers'" personal experiences and, in turn, arousing chords of human relate-ability between all of us. I've always believed that Michael Nesmith's poetry-in-rhythm, if you will, has the deft power to leave indelible impressions and revived memories within the breasts of every person who hears it.]

So you see, I can't quite leave a Michael Nesmith song uncorrected. I just can't--hey, you better quit laughin' at me! =D

It is a simple, timeless picture of Beauty we find in Joanne (and the song, too)--an important story, lesson, and gift for every Heart who was ever young. This's how young love goes; the kind of poignant young-heart's story not easily represented or expressed in pop-radio. A stormy (perhaps torrid? yay!) turmoil-turned, in reflection of many years, -blessing. This is what a heart can say when the pain is gone, the lover is longer-gone, the youth fades... it can finally sit back and smile about that sad time in gratitude. Finally.

So, for meaning?... well, I suppose it's just that man looking back on a love affair, like happens to all of us, in his long-ago, hormone- and heart-charged young life... =). (You must see that he is very creative with his expressions! Do read about the man, sometime, and you will almost certainly be surprised at the many innovative things he has done for our world, artistically speaking [at the very least]!)

You're Welcome in Advance, If I've Helped--Only, ENJOY!, "Jaxxy"... =).

P.S.... BOY, I hope this is readable. Michael Nesmith gets me floaty.