Down to the River

~~~~~

The echo of the banjo

vibrates against the high cliffs
on the other side of the river
and I feel it strum my veins
with a nasal-twanged melody
tying knots of tightly wound rhythm
into the fabric of my soul
with songs
of hard scrabble lives
scratched from the rocky hills
and river-bottom meadows

And my spirit dances

with the ghosts of my kin
jigging in time to the rhythms

of the river’s cutting edge
and deep silver-throated passions

~~~~~

Author notes

Thoughts while listening to home-grown mountain music on the Buffalo National River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4emATIkaEBo&annotation_id=annotation_776762&feature=iv

Not sure of image credits but was found on http://portal.arkansas.gov/aboutArkansas/Pages/arkansasPhotoGallery.aspx

Comments

By me, right now

Adding your comment:
Junebug-
July 29
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Oh and I forgot these!!!
Junebug-
July 29

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Moutain Music goodness!!!!
I love this poem. This was such a great read. It captured me from beginning to end!

Speaking of mountain music, have you ever listened to the Yonder Mountain String Band? If not they are worth the look at. They are hilarious. Their website is http://www.yondermountain.com/ if you want to check them out.
Night Hope
July 27

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There is definitely a "southern appeal" to this piece, my Friend. It also reminded me of the beautiful ballad by Bruce Springsteen. Keep right on "scrabbling", Madame Librarian; we'll follow your path with eager feet. Good luck in Darcy's contest, Sweetie.