Chuck Melugin Poet Lyric

Promised Land

She told it this way.....

He said...San Francisco......
Then up to Mendocino
I said...can I go
He said...I guess you can

'Cause, long since Albuquerque
That's when he first hurt me
My heart's dying to divert me
To the promised land

And...oh, the nights are long
When you're playing tag along
And this old heartache..hanging on
Is getting out of hand

'Wish he would turn this car around
California...feels like shaky ground, 
Why is it always one more town
To the promised land

Silence speaks behind the wheel
A change of plans....to Bakersfield
Where Merle Haggard got the feel
Of the lonesome legend man

"Can't say I'm having fun
In this California sun
But,I'm praying for another run
To the promised land

And...oh, the days are cold
When empty's all you've got to hold
And chase love down another road
'So hard to understand

This oak just ain't gonna bend
Maybe, as the story ends
I'll catch another poet's pen
To the promised land



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M. L. Kiser October 23, 2014 at 5:15 PM This would be great set to music. I do remember Merle Haggard...I saw a documentary on him a while back. Anyway, keep on writing!

Carolyn Devonshire October 19, 2014 at 2:12 PM Dear Chuck, Wow!! I love this poem and the way yout opened it with dialogue made it seem so real. Felt like I was taking that trip across California's "shaky" ground. You must be a country music fan too (Merle Haggard gave you away). There's so much substance behind this story that it's a new favorite for me. You might enjoy a Willie Nelson song, "Living in the Promised Land." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqIyIvL-gBs Love, Carolyn

Andrea Dietrich October 16, 2014 at 10:23 PM Very interesting poem here. Kind of reminding me of a sadder version of Do you KNow the way to SAn Jose. IN the 80's I lived in SF area and got to know a few of the towns you mention in this poem. I really like the feel of this one.

The Situation October 16, 2014 at 6:44 PM As I remember a great poet.