22.4.12

Image: The road to Austin

 

105) Last nights readings were done,

The end of another one

Not at all drear, just the room to clear

Then Thom says “will you, give Nancy an interview”

But that was temporarily dropped

Till we got the air condition stopped

Try as we might we couldn’t get it right

With the buttons we played, we almost prayed

Then silence descended and interview I rendered

How I’d begun, what I’d done

And say, how I found the USA

Sure was good my accent understood

And so today, once more on my way

To Austin bound, and more open mics to be found

 

106) This morning no Thom to be seen

But an empty space where his car had been

So into Connie’s I quietly crept to se an empty couch where Bob had slept

My good intentions didn’t work out, so the pair of ‘em left without

Me, but no need to worry or drive in a hurry

To Austin with care an’ I’ve six hours to get there

 

107) In Lamesa I couldn’t dwell, but there was one last farewell

Not to a person or animal by name but a wonder of creation just the same

I would make my way, to the tree we planted yesterday

I dug the hole where it was planted with care

May it grow stronger everyday

I took leaf and branch in my finger tips, and gently lifted it to my lips

Like kissing a fair maidens hand,

Only a like minded person would understand

(God willin' it'll be there still there next year and so will I)

 

108) He sang he'd danced Cinderella and not wanted to miss even one song

Because he knew come midnight she'd be gone

It was his daughter's childhood past, how it had gone too fast

He’d put it into song, how they weren’t children very long

This I did know having watched both my daughters grow

As their lives unfurled making their way in the world

Memories awakened tears in my eyes as I drove on

Wondering where my daughters childhoods had gone

(Inspired by Steven Curtis Chapman's: Cinderella )

 

109) Away from Lamesa’s arid plain,

Roadside flowers like an English country lane

Among the roadside flowers I glance butterflies in ritualistic dance

Slow down enjoy the views and Texas flowers colourful hues

Blue, red, yellow and white, a flowered carpet of delight

They and the trees let me know as down the road I go

 

110) At the motel for just gone two drop the bags off and then what to do

Get to Hot Mamas 2401 on East 6 and up to my poetry tricks

How many time’ll tell not just there but Kick Butt as well.

 

111) And so to Kick Butt we went Thom set off like the bullet from a gun

Me behind thinking ‘hang on me old son’

I almost caught him but to my dismay, a big truck got in the way

Would it be to my cost, left behind and lost?

A car moved to the right and I caught up quicker

It was Thom’s recognised by a window sticker

Still on his tail reached Kick Butt without fail

Goin’ through the door it felt good being there once more

 

112)  Back to the motel and once more borrow

An iron to press another shirt for tomorrow

Then if time what I’ll do is iron another two

So I’ll look my best moving on to the Valley Fest

An’ tomorrow it’ll be really neat

Meetin’ Bruce for lunch this time it’s my treat