The Legend of Johnny Cash

Entry for the Golden Age of Music Poetry Contest, sponsored by Oliver McKeithan, March 2025, Second Place. I dreamed of Johnny Cash last night, his music spoke to me, I said I thought that you were dead, but music lives said he, but music lives said he. From Folsom, to Fort Bend, for every soul behind bars, he asked if we could say a prayer, then picked up his guitar, then picked up his guitar. He sung to me of Ira Hayes, words that rung in my ears, the world of reservations, with all those rivers of tears, with all those rivers of tears. We talked and talked of music, country, hip hop and blues, how Bo Diddley and Beyoncé, can move our blue suede shoes, can move our blue suede shoes. I dreamed of Johnny Cash last night surprised to see him back, I said I thought that you were dead, but he was still dressed in black, but he was still dressed in black.