The Night That Lutie Mae Mcdaniel Sang the Blues
I was on my way to Nashville,
Planned to be a country star,
The Grand Old Opry was where I was meant to be.
I drove across the Mississippi,
Stopped in Memphis for the night,
And that's where fate stepped in and changed my destiny.
I found a cheap motel and showered,
Went out to get a bite to eat,
My cash was low, so there was little I could choose.
A cup of coffee, and a burger,
A slice of southern pecan pie,
And a copy of the latest Opry news.
But in a small café on Beale Street,
Upon a postage stamp-sized stage,
A pinpoint spot to frame her face was all they used,
I watched my dreams of fame in Nashville
Fade like smoke rings in the air
When I heard Lutie Mae McDaniel sing the blues.
You could tell she'd been a looker,
But her voice, once pure, I'm sure,
Now was raspy, wrecked by cigarettes and booze.
But every word was raw emotion,
Full of love, and loss, and life,
And I felt every single one down to my shoes.
There was no one on piano,
Just Lutie Mae and a guitar,
At break I asked if my assistance she could use.
She drawled, "Auditions are tomorrow."
I said, "Ma'am, here I am tonight."
Then I sat down right there and knocked out "Beale Street Blues".
If you should ever get to Memphis
And find you've time upon your hands,
Check out a small and smoky dive called "Beale Street Lu's".
That's now my little slice of heaven
Where each night at eight and ten
I play while Lutie Mae McDaniel sings the blues.
Copyright © Jim Slaughter | Year Posted 2022
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment