Ms. Jenkin's Blues

Got it deep in her
That 'bama sway
Which only southern girls could learn
As they strolled dusty roads
On their way
Past history's fields
Hiking their skirts
Because ashy feets was one thing
Acceptable
But a dingy hem was not.

Got it deep in her
The way she told a story
Drunk on laughter
Seasoned in way
Like mama's meals
More from experience
Than anything she could've read;
Made you want to come back for more
Stand around the kitchen doorway
A disciple
Waiting for Sunday dinner.

Had it deep in her
The fire and brimstone way of life
To hell with the time
Sermons of her existence
Were forever just getting started.

Got it deep in me
Upon remembering those eyes;
Looked like they'd seen
Just maybe
A little too much
Those crops of faith
Punctuating woods of reality
Where abundantly grew
Lessons
Only time could provide.

Got it deep in me
As it was in her
To take those seeds
Plant them
Nature them
Watch them grow
Hoping winds
Would carry them to places
Just this side of a dream
Where all things possible
Made light of the dark
Beneath their eyes
Beneath those blue songs
Blue times
That become
Of those with no hope of escape.

Hope it deep within them
Who'll go on
Because that is life
Because that was Ms. J.
And what better praise
Than to take a moment
laugh with memories
Tear with melodies
No longer sung
But hanging on the breeze
On the calm which comes
Each time one thinks her name...
©2011clarencecbess