Leaving Nashville
[For optimal results, read this aloud, with your best “Country” accent]
Dolly Parton has vacated my soul
the essence of Merle and even Loretta
neither weeps nor seeps from the pores of my skin
my ears are not plugged with barroom vomit
and my tongue no longer speaks Pedal Steel
kicking off their shit-stompers my fingers have ceased
to buck dance the neck of my six-string
the cells of my body are not honky-tonks
nor my heart an old pickup truck Daddy once gave me
my eyes have grown blind now to sequined reflections of
Mama
Texas small farm harmonicas
Broken-hearted barmaid jealousies
washed in whiskey infatuations
and the Blood of the Lord
my jaundiced, overtaxed liver now rests
from detoxification of lyrics encrusted with
sap
saccharin
indigestible corn
crucifix in hand, intoning Latin incantations
my blood has at last exorcised the Johnnies
Paycheck
&
Cash
-
Author:
Will Hiltz (
Offline) - Published: February 28th, 2017 02:11
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 13
Offline)
Comments4
Very good write, surely Cash must still be with you.
Yes, Cash is still with me, as is Willie Nelson, but I simply couldn't pass up the "Paycheck and Cash" paring for the ending for the poem!
what a shit kicking hi falutin' shebang you wrote here a boot scootin' wonderful wonder dagnabit! ww I loved it!
You've been there!! That's a mighty fine looking filly you're ridin' there in the picture, BTW!
yes he's a good'in ta smartner them some folk's I be a knowing? trusty rusty be he name cowboy will!
Wonderfully written tribute to some of country's greatest artists
Thanks, Tony36. I've had great fun re-writing that one over the years, but the poem literally came to me suddenly driving west on I-40 the day I left Nashville after living there for four years. I actually saw and heard some of the great Country and Western legends during my time there, both in concert and when they'd just pop into some little joint late at night, take the stage and start jamming with the guys booked there that night. Great times, and yes, great artists.
Welcome
I believe you've captured the essence of country music in your piece. Can I get an "Amen?" - Phil A.
Amen!
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.