A few classics from back in the day, inspired by music and road trips. And women.
THE AIR ON BOURBON
Her voice was enough to make me
walk in here & I can’t believe
the rose (thorns & all),
her slow anguish in mid-air & the three guys
sweatin’ through
Sunday suits & that thrumming bass
all in emanation from neon God Damn
what that woman’s doin’ to me.
CURB-SIDE
I stand in the street-brass breeze on the wrong side of town
lifting up-up-up along that shrill trill mid air to drown & man…
that sound squeaks through a mellow lowness—
a low-down that climbs from gutter to kiss soft lips—
a sharp-tongued bird flown
on sweet
sweet slow wings & my pulse keeps what time it can.
IN BED WITH THE DEVIL
The first time I went I brought a guitar
and an I-don’t-give-a-shit state of mind.
The devil was nothing but the lowest
you could sink to ask a favor of.
I still brought a guitar though.
I still went at midnight.
Sat and played a few chords in the stillness.
When she walked up,
crunching gravel under impossible heels,
she took my guitar in both hands,
frowned and threw it into the darkness of a nearby field.
DRINKING WHISKEY & PLAYING CARDS
IN A JUKE SOUTH OF MEMPHIS
The pot was enough to put
gas in my truck and a meal in my belly—
enough to grab a wink from that fine waitress.
My glass was empty & it was my deal—
five card stud,
nothin’s wild.
I only make it look hard.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I had flipped back through your archives a few days ago and read Slide Guitar. Love these others too…you make it look easy, and that’s damn hard.
Thanks “)
You’d think I’d keep better track of that…totally forgot it already lived here!
Sounds like you’ve had a few of those life experiences that make for some really good writing….nice work! And thanks for the company on the stream…..it’s always good to have a writers perspective!
Yea, there’s no shortage of those experiences.
Looking forward to getting on the water again – hopefully soon!
Always a worthy read, “Curb-Side” is my favorite one.
“sweet slow wings & my pulse keeps what time it can.”
…that line is perfection.
Thanks, Ben. Sometimes they mumble, once in a while they sing. Hope you’re staying warm up your way.