Rev Gary Davis — blind blues & gospel singer… and friend.
Blind rev’ran
plays the blues
he is legend
his tales of pain
of injustice
the lore of the big muddy
his eyes
earthy brown
turbulent as that river
his truth
a deep current
impossible to escape
his knowing voice
a tempered edge
honed by blues
seasoned
by a kind heart
broadleaf husky
thick as sorghum
smoooooth
as beale street bourbon
the cf martin
swings from a leathered neck
on a tattered strap
stretched and shaped
by the heft of sorrow
poured into the soundhole
marked and scarred
by years of burden
of witness
its character and patina
bear testament
to a genuine soul
from his fingerboard
roll chords of loss
under resonant notes
of struggle
a rhythmic stomp
meters stinging verse
bittersweet memories
of broken promise
failed love
of dirt field
cruel street
back alley
of harsh wisdom
they reverberate
to fill the air
to break my heart
to steal my soul
to make innocence
wanna dance
*
rob kistner © 2022
Poetry at: Sunday Muse
