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Open Poetry #12
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Mike
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since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462


0 posted 2001-02-18 09:28 PM



Can't find no heaven,
Can't find no hell,
Can't find no water,
Down a stone dry well.
Cottonpatch gives a Christmas pickin'
If 'n no storm clouds a start to thicken,
Backwaters risin', in a Mississippi flood,
Can't a pick no cotton in a Mississippi mud,
A hundred pounds in a burlap sack,
Ain't no cure for a achin' back,
Pickin' cotton, morn to night,
Ain't no pain like a cottonmouth bite,
Preacherman shouts, we're full a sin,
Haulin' our cotton, to town to gin,
Keep a pickin' cotton,
Only time will tell,
Can't find no heaven,
Can't find no hell.

© Copyright 2001 Mike - All Rights Reserved
Meadowmuse
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since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

1 posted 2001-02-18 09:37 PM


Reading this, one can feel the beatin' heat 'pon the blisterin', stoopin' back and hear the low plaintive calling of the cotton blues. Rich and raw, lovely writing. Thanks for it.

Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2001-02-18 11:07 PM


Mike--Now all you need is a banjo and a chair and few friends...I'm tapping my foot here.
Lighthousebob
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since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
3 posted 2001-02-18 11:10 PM


Your poem captures the true spirit of a southern spiritual...

and when them cotton balls get rotten
you can't pick very much cotton
in them ol' cotton fields back home....

just membrin' Bob <><

Denise
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since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 2001-02-18 11:18 PM


There is no limit to your talent, is there, Mike? This is fantastic!!
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
5 posted 2001-02-19 08:45 PM


Oh, Mike~
What an image-laden render.
Superb job of transference of thought.
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
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Listening to every heart
6 posted 2001-02-19 09:36 PM


I can hear these deep, painfilled voices carrying the tune so their feet will follow....well done Mike...VERY well done....
Butterflies_dont_cry
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since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
7 posted 2001-02-20 06:21 AM


Off the beaten path with this piece Mike, it's a change....but NOT a bad one...it had a Grapes Of Wrath feel to it that hit a sorrowful note...excellent work!
suthern
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Louisiana
8 posted 2001-02-20 03:09 PM


I remember my entire neighborhood gathering to pick cotton... even the kids had small bags to fill. Heat, dirt, and hard work... always accompanied by singing... you captured it well.
Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

9 posted 2001-02-22 11:26 PM


Thank ya all kindly for the replies... haven't ever seen a cotton field in person..
probably a bit harder to pick cotton than combine wheat, I suspect..

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