I’ve seen a quote attributed to the great Hank Williams: “A song ain’t nothin’ in the world but a story just wrote with music to it.” In Norse legend, the Three Norns sit at the foot of Yggdrasil, the tree of the world, and spin the threads of fate in the intertwined story of our […]
Sunday’s Lament
A Sunday Lament Dear Lord, Please give me a church Like my forefathers had, so long ago Where they learned right and wrong Love the sinner, hate the sin Dear Lord, I understand some folks Stand themselves up, shout out their faith Play loud music and socialize That’s just not how I was raised Dear […]
Elko Cowboys Up
[v=MLUD6JGlV3s] Last week the nation’s greatest celebration of the American West took place in Elko, Nevada: the 28th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This shindig, produced by the Western Folklife Center, has both kinds of music—country and western. It is more country than anything Nashvegas will come out with, and more western than most any pro rodeo […]
A Montana Song
I’m feeling like a Montana song Kanes River, Graham Lindsey A story wrapped in an enigma Presented as a warm, soulful poem. I’m feeling like a Big Sky storm Blizzard, tornado, thunder, rain Battleships of air Rolling across the prairie. I’m feeling like a high Trout stream Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson, Missouri Never the same twice […]
If I Needed You
[v=bl41lqUFKS4] If I needed you would you come to me, Would you come to me, and ease my pain? If you needed me I would come to you. I’d swim the seas for to ease your pain In the night forlorn the morning’s born And the morning shines with the lights of love. You will […]
MPR Valentine
A Valentine’s poem for the Minnesota man by Peter Smith, Minnesota Public Radio A Minnesota Valentine How do I love thee? Let me count the ways In Minnesota this time of year, practicality pays. I love thee for thy calories converted to heat, In the night, bun to bun, under the sheets. Never mind lingerie. […]
Vigilantes 1864
Cold cruel winds blow down intent upon the Bannack mining camp…