»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #46
»
Samuel Running Wolf
| Open Poetry #46 |
|
Samuel Running Wolf |
|
|
JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America 
|
. . . is the lady alone . . . last words of the song made famous by legendary Manfred Wilson was lost in applause even drunks recognize something special gnarled fingers cord the old guitar beat-up and scarred like the old one caressing it Samuel Running Wolf tipped his Hoss Cartwright Stetson smiled a snaggletooth smile of satisfaction he knew too when it was special one-man blues show 1960's skid-row Los Angeles Samuel Running Wolf known only as Chief to the desperate ones who came to drink problems away that's an oxymoron, not that they'd know what it means some would though not all bums are bums no some just don't have the heart for the struggle of maintaining the status quo druther cry in their beers toss off whisky and wine foley-oley blurs life's problems don'tcha know 519 the bar was named street address, nothing more tough place for tough people no quarter given Chief stuffed vintage clay pipe between discolored teeth special blend of tobacco yes indeed stayed stoned all alone although a star of the 519 alone for what did being a star of 519 make Samuel Running Wolf if not the culmination of failure Chief's old enough to die and the 519 is his claim to fame making people laugh and sob there once was a man called Chief he didn't like modern ways with the "man" he had a beef so he stuffed his pipe of clay with weed that's against the law down here no one cares a whit dulls thoughts leaves him in awe so he smokes and smiles a bit reservation raised, he left found the other world lacked soul he wandered around bereft then found himself on the dole wandered into 519 Navaho singing machine . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! [This message has been edited by JerryPat (11-28-2010 06:10 PM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2010 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Unfortunate but true for far too many. You did Running Wolf justice... whether real or imaginary. If your interests lie in reading about the Native American experience, might I suggest the book, "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" by Nerburn. Of all the books I've read, and there are many, it is within my Top 10. Thanks for sharing. "We'll chase them like rats across the tundra." |
||
|
JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Oh, it was true, Andrew. Thanks for the book tip and for stopping by and reading me. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
||
|
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
You hung around the same place I did. I had one of those pipes and seemed to get the same reaction North American native or not. Great story Jerry and I've seen it and lived part of it and yes, it's definitely an oxymoron!! And, I'm really happy to know that not all bums are bums.....he he just kiddin my friend... However, many come back to the same watering hole for many more reasons than just one. The images in this are crusty crisp which is just how they should be. Unless you had a special reason that old hand could chord the guitar. Really enjoyed this and the truth behind it. Eric |
||
|
JerryPat Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991Louisiana/America |
Good morning Eric, and thank you for the comments. When I think back on those days everything seems surreal to me. I could probably spend the rest of my life writing about my experiences, as could we all about theirs. Actually the rest of my life won't be long in coming (I'm seventy-one). Thanks again. . . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$! |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
