Memphis Red

Poem — plus expanded Spoken Word performance.

 

C racked and seasoned hands
reach with suffered care
to wrap the fingerboard
in love

callused digits
yellowed by habit
depress taut strings

blood and bone
connect
sculpting emotions

true life
from sitka spruce
and spiraled steel

knowing strains rise

Memphis Red
is
the blues

*
rob kistner © 2022

More prosery at: dVerse

~ SPOKEN WORD: Listen here to me tellin’ ya mo’bout bluesman, Memphis Red. ~

 

~ BELOW: Eric Gales sangin’ & professin’ some red hot Memphis blues! ~

20 thoughts on “Memphis Red”

  2. A wonderful poem and such a great use of the prompt!
    true life
    from sitka spruce
    and spiraled steel

    I love your use of the guitar and the players emotions.
    Well done, Rob!

    Reply

  7. The subject deserved the expanded spoken word version, but clever re-write to fit into a quadrille. Your appreciation for and knowledge of the blues is fully on display, brother. As to my poem, I am not pro-life (it was sarcasm), but I went back and changed it for pro-choice. We poets can be an odd bunch.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Glenn, and I felt certain you were prochoice, and I loved making my animated Spoken Words. Haven’t made one in a number of years. And sorry my friend — did not mean to pass judgement brother… 🙂

      Reply

  8. Loved both your poem and the Spoken Word. You truly have a gift of description. I’m always amazed at the way guitarists can play with such dexterity as they age. Like riding a bike, I suppose.

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much Mish! I love the sound and vocal feel of words in my mouth. 🙂 if you pursue something long enough, with intense committment — it endures, only physical impairment can disrupt the link.

      Reply

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