Feb 2022 poemofthedaychallenge louisiana blues americana
#poemoftheday
Saw a great challenge regarding the Poetry Foundations Poem of the Day. Today's poem is roughly about the Poet's connection to Florida. Got me thinking about places where I have strong emotional connections, and for me that place is just across the river in Northern Louisiana. This isn't the song I wanted to write, but for an hour or so of work, I'll let it stand for now. I may pocket it to tweak and play with later.
Eastbound on old I20
Mississippi River calling high and muddy
Like a longing mother just begging for me to stay
And Ifin I am true with you
My own heart is a longing too
Lay my head in the water and let her roll me away
I was a Red Dirt Daughter of the Piedmont Clay
Til that Louisiana Delta stole my heart away
Held and laid me down in her muddy arms
Like a mother took me as her own
Gave this rambling girl a home
And now I'm sad and lonely
East bound and out of her charm.
Nearly all I love and more
Is waiting on the Mississippi's western shore
tucked in the rows of sweet potato vines
And though I long to turn around
I have business in my Piedmont town
But I know she'll be waiting for me on down the line
I was a Red Dirt Daughter of the Piedmont Clay
Til that Louisiana Delta stole my heart away
Held and laid me down in her muddy arms
Like a mother took me as her own
Gave this rambling girl a home
And now I'm sad and lonely
East bound and out of her charm.
@jsini Mar 2022
Reminds of something Emmylou would sing. I love the imagery. Nice job!
@rkeeling75 Feb 2022
Having lived in Atlanta for several years, this track feels very much like leaving spaghetti junction, taking 20 west towards Alabama, and that moment when there are more trees than billboards. (oh, and welcome to FAWM)
@nateger Feb 2022
Nice bluesy vocalizing! Love the details - red dirt daughter, piedmont clay, high and muddy. Beautiful lyrics, great soothing strumming took me on a ride
@mandolinda Feb 2022
Great sounding guitar there, sounds like you’re having some fun singing this too. Love the little laugh at the end. Great voice, you can belt it out girl.
@williamjames Feb 2022
Really cool southern blues sound. Your vocals sound really great, you absolutely nail the style! Nice job on the lyrics too. Evokes longing and belonging at the same time.
@rev Feb 2022
Another nice one!
@standup Feb 2022
I like how this song is so much about place. The Delta holding one down on her muddy arms sounds borderline risky to me, but I know it’s actually about love.
I’m drawn to this too because I know these places. Athens GA is my hometown, as a young kid I lived in Baton Rouge (I know, east bank of the Mississippi) , and my first wife was from Opelika. So I know some Piedmont red dirt pretty well.
@andygriff Feb 2022
So many great lines here. Might benefit from the odd musical tweak as you say but honestly it's definitely on the right track IMHO and I liked the impromptu chuckle at the end too :)
@hurryak Feb 2022
I like this! My favorite line is "tucked in the rows of the sweet potato vines." I like that because it's not something that I would associate with that region because I've never been there, but it's clearly a dear memory and subtle detail of home for you. Sweet potatoes are universally comfort food though, so that was a very clever way to pack a lot of nostalgia into one line. Well done.
@dock Feb 2022
Your lyric about the red-dirt daughter of the piedmont clay reminded me that I grew up in that same dirt. I think this song captures a lot about the place and the singer. Very well sung.
@sjbatavia Feb 2022
I'm not sure what song you wanted to write, but this one works for me. Great voice and I think the melody fits your lyrics well.
As a Red Dirt Daughter of the Piedmont Clay - great line!