Three Country Songs

1.
She claimed she came from Coeur d'Alene
but she really came from Kellog.
She said her daddy went insane.
but in fact he got the hell out.
She swore she never would marry,
would become a Vegas chanteuse;
but she married her high school Harry:
he's a roofer, she's a coiffeuse.

2.
Jack Bridwell's in love with Elizabeth Sloan.
Under summer's pared and parboiled moons
His lavender Harley comes sizzling, sneezing,
Snoring down 14.

As I stand gazing,

The taillight climbs the night fire-colored,
Then goes out like a cagarette swallowed.
And soon the hills swallow the whole complaint.
I turn from the window, less than content.

Hours later, sleep courted and lost,
I hear the Harley singing him home. . .
His ears full of wind and Elizaneth's praise,
His eyes full of night and Elizabeth's eyes. . .
He smells the corn, the clay, the river,
And drinks the delight of the dark country driver.

3.
Grass clung to the reel of the mower,
and cream to the dasher in the churn,
and I clung as close to my lover
as the honey clung to the comb.

copyright 2003 Ed Minus