Thursday, January 8, 2009

Southern Moon

I ain’t too close and ain’t too far,
white lightnin’ from a mason jar,
seen my sister? She’s a star,
catchin’ out a parlor car -
tip a hat to the southern moon.

I seen Grandma Moses ferried
(I know why the rabbit tarried)
I seen Elvis get remarried
(I know where the money’s buried)
can’t hide from the southern moon.

I seen more debauchery
than three of me’d care to see -
out ‘neath the honeylocust tree
the devil stacks his dowry
by the light of the ol’ southern moon.

I seen Richmond torched and torn,
I heard Satchmo blow his horn,
the dyin’ and the barely born
is mad as magpies in the corn
lookin’ up at the low southern moon.

I ain’t concerned about your lot,
or what your mamma said you ought -
just once, before your farm is bought,
throw back your head
give all you got
howlin' up at the full southern moon.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"I ain’t too close and ain’t too far"

It's just right there where you are

:)

strange game of hide'n seek
with the moon, over the creek

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Ha Ha!!

Love it - Love it - Love it!!

I think, you just wrote my biography. *?*

I admire your work so very much!

-confessional- said...

"before your farm is bought"

How sad and true. I am originally from the South, and I have seen so many of our beautiful farms being sold to make way for housing and commercial development. We are losing some of our agricultural heritage. I don't know if that's how you meant that phrase, but that's what it made me think. :)

Love your poem. Reminds me of home. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Love it! I had the same reaction that confessional had. Such beautiful imagery. I particularly love your last stanza and howlin' at the moon!

trooping with crows said...

I love the all the culture of the south! This poem is truly wonderful I love the subject and the language. You are a gifted writer---
Excellent!

Moanerplicity said...

You make life beneath that southern moon feel like a place where anything can happen, and much of it intriguing. *smiles* LOVED your rhyme schemes throughout this piece! You made sweet music and enchanting visuals, too!

One.

Lin

Karen said...

This is great! As a West Virginia girl, I can totally relate...

I loved the rhythm - very southern!