Blues Poem #24 (+1)

Kurt Philip Behm

Boxcar Blues

 

John Lee, Wolf,

and Muddy knew

the rails could

set you free

Direction

but an afterthought

when tracks

forever lead

To where the music

calls your name

in box cars

down the line

With darkened Angels

heading home

deliverance

— there to find

 

(Kingston Mines Chicago: January, 1996)

 

 

Blues Poem #25

 

The devil walked

behind me

to that crossroads

in the dark

 

He said ...

“Give me that

old gitar son

I’ll reignite

its spark

 

“But once I do

the die is cast

those licks

in Hades rhymed

 

“Now go and set

the world on fire

your soul

— forever mine”

 

(Listening To Robert Johnson: March, 2026)

 

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Comments +

Comments3

  • sorenbarrett

    B.B. King, Big Mama Thornton, John Hurt, Leadbelly, Sarah Vaughn more lately Foy Vance, Beth Hart Blues the closest music to the soul A fave I thought with the first part of Boxcar Willy although not so much for the blues

  • DLewis88

    I like it. It's nicely written.

  • Tristan Robert Lange

    Kurt, this rides that line between freedom and something deeper…almost spiritual. “Direction but an afterthought when tracks forever lead” really anchors it, while the boxcars and music give it motion. A wonderful blast from the past my friend. An aside, 1996 was the year I met my wife. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

    • Kurt Philip Behm

      Yes, a VERY good year indeed. Thanks, and an early Happy 30th Anniversary this year.



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