Tennessee Poems

Davy Crockett 1786-1836

According to the ballad,
Davy Crockett, born in Tennessee
(part of North Carolina at the time),
kilt him a b'ar when he was only three
(altho' only a song,
always had my doubts about cruelty to animals
from one so young).
Playing with it night and day, young Davy
should have taken more care
(had a hunting reputation),
he pulled the arms and legs off
his

Tennessee Waltz

Little Bluebird, tell me when
I can dance with you again
I kind of did that afternoon 
Inside that Tennessee saloon

The country music playing loud
I stood behind you in the crowd
I slowly moved in sync with you
We didn't touch, I wanted to

You turned around and looked at me
A picture for my memory 
For when I looked you

The Siren of Tennessee

On my farm, my daughter Zoe grew strong
She became a beauty, like a happy country song.
She didn't smoke or drink, had lots of fresh air
But an exorcist once took a look, told me to beware

Down a dusty road in the evening glow,  
She'd walk in her gown where the wildflowers grow.  
Deceptive beauty

Hurricane Helene

Some lost their lights, the brilliance
	Electricity, burning through the night
		Inviting, inspiring, igniting our lives.

Some lost their water, the gentle flow
	Source of hope and wonder, graceful
		Moving over the spirit, sweet fulfillment.

Some lost their ability to communicate
	Cell phones grew quiet, the internet – silent
		Most felt some anxiety, lonesome, isolated.

Some lost their food as frozen staples melted
	While cold

Ode To Tennessee

Oh Tennessee, bard divine, what gems you've given,
Of truth and pain from your wrecked life riven.

Though critics scorned, your genius shone  
In shabby rooms where oft alone,

You typed amid plumes of smoke, your soul's sad cry -
A Streetcar Named Desire, my oh my! 

Your plays laid bare the human heart,
Its longing, fear, and rage

Tennessee Hills

Smoky mountain range 
the smell of backwoods cooking 
barbecue and pies

Mary Fields

~ Mary Fields…
Was born into slavery somewhere back east
she thought it was Hickman County, Tennessee
Growing up, she had learned how to read and write
though she'd spent her childhood in captivity

Came to Montana to live life as a nun
but learned she was better suited for fight'n
She stood six foot tall and weighed two hundred pounds
wore a

Lessons Learned From the Tennessee Valley

Lessons Learned from the Tennessee Valley

Spoiled have we become!?
When you look back from whence, we have begun,
the provision of profit to our young,
that sheltered them from hard work, and supplied them with ample fun,
have we spoiled our generations to come, only to be left undone?

The Tennessee Valley in the forties, 
provided generations of poverty,
the aftermath

6 More

I don't know
How
But we let it happen
again
there are already
too many
too many angels in the sky
too many. 
a girl
trying to save everyone
a heroine 
a little boy
who had siblings
waiting for him to come home
A sweet girl
With the Lord in her heart
A headmaster-
a woman with too much love in her heart
a custodian-
a man deeply loved who deeply loved
sub-
who

Which One Came From Tennessee

We have traveled to thirty-seven states, the youngster told me.
He is only eight, so this is quite the accomplishment.
I collect one rock from each state, want to see them?
His mother rolls her eyes, as if it is no big deal.
It is a big deal to me; I am also a rock collector.
Sure!

He takes me into

Leaving Tennessee

Time is vertical in motels,
it travels red-eyed in elevators.
It’s an out of sequence conversation
you have with an ice bucket.
Barefoot hours drop their hairballs into air-ducts,
spindrifts of sweat drift unfiltered.

Morning lifts ears first,
they open eyes in your mind.
Early risers thump down hallways,
trundling wheels pulled by heavy hands.

Perched on a sagging bed,
one sock in hand,
drinking sour wine

Free In Tennessee

               The beautiful trees,
               In RED country! 

               Looks so great to me.

Meeting Sheila From Tennessee

She looked tame, and the entire breakfast area had men in it.
I sat on a high stool directly across from her; we are in a hotel lobby.
I did not expect her to speak, but she did. “Where are you from?”
I told her Kansas City. She asked why I was here.
My granddaughter’s graduation.

She said “Guess what

Throw the Word Vicissitudes Back To Tennessee

An evil warlock changed my vicissitudes on this horrible mean day.
It only took seconds, but he took all my power and confidence away.
I went from a woman to a purple dragon with red stripes you see.
He was in cahoots with an ogre who has always hated little ole me.

They transmuted me with abnormally joyful anticipation

We Will Visit You In Tennessee

We will visit your girl scout camp we promised our daughter.
Headed down to Tennessee on a Saturday morning like we ought’er.
Arrived around six a.m. thinking the campers would be awake.
No one was around in the empty buildings, for goodness sakes!

Where are they? My husband asked. It’s a ghost town here.
We finally drove around the camp

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