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Open Poetry #46
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JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America

0 posted 2010-11-28 03:32 PM



. . . 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 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
1 posted 2010-11-30 12:19 PM


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 1991
Louisiana/America
2 posted 2010-11-30 06:48 AM


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 11858
New Brunswick Canada
3 posted 2010-12-01 03:35 AM


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 1991
Louisiana/America
4 posted 2010-12-01 07:53 AM


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, %!~#&(&#!$!

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