Two Bright Tattered Birds

We carry our music as we roam,
carry with us rhythms of home.

Sorghum blowing
and fresh-shorn sheep
and new lambs crying
and brother’s small flat feet.

Cora hollering “Opry’s on!”
The sway-back donkey braying in the barn.

Grampy’s grumbles
Grammy’s sharp swats
Pa’s “Mind your business”
Ma’s Do and Do Not!

Thwoop-thwoop-thwoop of butter churning.
Thwap-thwap-thwap of the waterwheel turning.

Snuffling cows at milking time,
Padrik’s silly, lilting “headin’ home” rhyme.

Sizzle of spoonbread
snapping beans
sweet crunchy corn
and nibbling crispy greens.

We carry our history as we roam,
carry with us rhythms of home.
Two bright tattered birds.