12-Bar Blues (for Chaucer)

. . . a very old poem resurrected after reading Chaucer's "Play Like Robert Johnson"

 

 

 

There are some nights, like tonight,

When only the Blues will get me through,

Especially when Elmore’s ‘Sky Is Cryin'.’

 

Sonny Boy’s Blues harp is moaning

Sad To Be Alone’ and Jimi bares his ‘Bleeding Heart’

While Muddy’s whiskey voice is telling me

You Can’t Lose What You Never Had.’

Little Milton’s ‘Walking The Back Streets And Cryin’

And Howlin’ Wolf is ‘Moanin' At Midnight.’

Freddy asks me ‘Have You Ever Loved A Woman’

While John Lee is begging ‘Baby Please Don’t Go.’

 

And listening from down below, and smiling,

Is RJ, who met his Devil at the ‘Crossroads

And sold his soul for a beat-up old guitar

And thirty songs,  holy scripture of the Blues.         

 

 

(Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters,

Little Milton was just Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf too, Freddy King,

John Lee Hooker . . . and RJ is Robert Johnson of course)





Poetry by countryfog
Read 754 times
Written on 2013-05-05 at 17:21

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josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
New dimensions, my friend new dimensions! You wander them effortlessly.
2013-05-08



Well! 'Dust my Broom' if you aren't full of surprises. "Holy Scriptures of the blues" is a beautiful, beautiful line.
2013-05-06


StillHoppin The PoetBay support member heart!
Whew! That's some good poetry, right there.... and some great musical references within your work. Nice!
2013-05-06


Morning Star
Great poem, Countryfog. I love the diversity of your poetry.

This one is a winner. Unique and beautifully expressed.
Very different (in a good way)

Best wishes
Morning Star
2013-05-05


Phill
Ha! This is clever. I'm not super familiar with the Blues but you blend the titles together well into a story I think we all can find relatable. Looking forward to more from you. Thumbs up!
2013-05-05


Chaucer Whethers The PoetBay support member heart!
Cool blues poem captures the mood.

Something mythic and legendary about the lives
of such musicians mostly lost to mainstream sensibilities
which is what one finds most enduring.
2013-05-05