Always Southern

I have always

been Southern,

though I was born

across the river

from St Louis

where my father

moved us

in tough times

so that he could

feed his family

of five.

I have been Southern,

always,

especially in the

big shouldered city

where I mopped down tar,

roofing along side my uncle,

as a young man.

Together
we were Southern
and drank
Jack Daniels whiskey
and whooped
and had fights
and carried pistols,

wrapped in our kerchiefs,

behind the truck seat.

I was a Child of the South

in California,
with great bearded bikers,
tattooed men astride
chrome and steel machines
and the tear dropped women
who came with them.

I was Southern of drawl and manner

in Indiana, and Iowa, and Idaho.

I would be much the same in
Munich, or Moscow, or on Mars.

I have always been Southern;

I could be nothing else.

all done

where did
you sleep
last night
baby

i am
all done

being
angry
and fresh
out of booze

so tell me
where did you
did you sleep
last night

i am done

drinking
and need
to sleep

so tell me
and i promise
to believe

where did you
sleep last night
baby