Revisiting The Road

My ode to the greatest songwriter of the 20th century

From Pigeon River to Canal, Grand Portage to Broad
Inspiration delivered that is never, ever flawed
Abraham the Skeptic questioned the judgment of God
His ultimate sacrifice is a story with a moral so odd

Busted telephones and two score of tied shoelaces
All the established folks don an assortment of faces
Shakesperean stylings defining certain familial graces
A seven-card stud hand of nothing, not even Aces

To quote the lyricist about Belle Starr and all of her wits
Doling out meaning in large swaths and very small bits
Expand your intellect by hearing the prose and the riffs
The message is hidden behind all of the spoken quips

The betting man was down and out and getting sick
He wanted the world to go out fast, just really quick
Going for the nuclear, biological and chemical schtick
So many home runs being scored without the asterisk

Pounding the pavement north of that town Clarksdale
Looking for cotton, polyester, even rayon without fail
Displayed with full force, the hammer hitting the nail
The gun pointing southward, it must be the final sale

Whatever the real meaning, whatever the overall theme
Written down and put to music, an awesome sonic meme
The long highway beckons, it is like strawberries to cream
Mark Twain smiles widely, a mesmerizing satirical dream

Maris and Mantle swung stick after stick chasing the stat
Five squared and six squared, the addition just after that
Rolling on this stretch of blacktop, finding the Siamese cat
So begin every road trip by revisiting and tipping your hat

Reviews

[Jeremy Baker]

Absolutely brilliant! I can't think of anything else to say, objective or otherwise - just brilliant!

[Sleepless]

love what you say in this poem great words !:)

[Muse]

Wicked writing my friend! xo

[Tkess]

I could be wrong, but I think this is about Woody Guthrie. I know he had a song called Belle Starr and he is cited by artists like Dylan, Strummer, and Springsteen as a big influence ontheir careers. Regardless of who this poem is about it is amazingly well done. Very nice, my good man.

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the strong statements made in this powerful poem. I'm a baseball fan. I like the Maris and Mantle statement. I always enjoy your poetry. You make me think. Goal of a writer. Thank you for the excellent poem.
Coyote

[Chris]

"...Peanuts and Crackerjack..." Ya know - it seems they're sayin the new leaders sold out to steriods too... kinda figures huh?

Good flow, rhythm, and heart.

Take care,
Chris

[realmwriter]

You always amaze me with every piece of yours I read. This piece has fantastic smooth flow. The ryms all work, and that can be difficult to say the least. The imagery is a Grand Slam. Very good work Indeed Sir...!

[Ruth]

I honestly don't think your work will ever be predictable love! LOL Amazing piece...but you know I love your work :) xx

[Audrey Howitt]

I loved this piece. The rhyme works well, and feels so right here. And you had me clear to the end--and I still can't figure out who you are writing about--but I suspect that is my sense of ignorance---

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

very interesting read, awesome Ken :)