I think the first one is about Karl Rove
You know what's great about "Desolation Row"? Besides everything, that is?
It's how easy it is to make new verses. The song consists of ten, reasonably formulaic verses which are completely unconnected ignoring the thematic concerns. Also: Dylan has a very distinctive voice, one which you can easily force to sing whatever you want. So, when you write a new stanza, you can read it over, and hear that voice like sand and glue singing your own words.
Polonius sleeps in the alley now,
His breath reeking of gin
Because, no matter how he knocks
His house won't let him in.
Some folks pretend he's foolish
But we've all seen through his act
He'd spy on you behind the door
Then stick notes to your back
Now Polonius stalks businessmen
And says, "Pay What You Owe.
I'll remember you, when I get back
To Desolation Row
The school is out for summer
Huck and Scout are playing house
And Leslie Burke is watching them
As quiet as a mouse
And in the park, the nursemaids
Have left, with the chimney sweep.
The Lost Boys play on the teeter-totter
While Dorothy tries to sleep.
And as one child kicks, and starts to rise,
The other sinks below.
And that's the way life goes sometimes,
On Desolation Row.
The café is full of rebels
With James Dean at their head
Nietzsche tries to talk sense to them
Not knowing he's long dead
The barista, she looks worried.
"I truly hate to beg
But I owe Doctor Frankenstein,
For fixing my son's leg"
And the strangest part of this whole scene
As they fish for their dough
Is people helping others out
On Desolation Row
Hours of fun. And then, when you write a verse, you can try to figure out what the hell you meant by it!
Don't send me no letters, no.