Don’t much wanna go to heaven
wouldn’t known no one there, no way
as the kind that I holds near and dear
won’t be a gettin’ thru them pearly gates.
No, there’s a better chance you’ll find me
sittin’ round a fire ring somewheres
talkin’ loud and smoking Marlboro’s
next to a tub a ice cold beer.
Wearing an old King Diamond tee shirt
and a pair a too tight jeans
sittin’ on some ol’ boys lap, feelin’ frisky-
in the trailer park o my dreams…
Where on every space there’s a double wide
and the lot rents paid in full
and my sister’s- ex-fi-ance’s -brother-in-law
has done his last parole.
So when I exit life’s long lost highway
don’t you be a worrin’ ’bout where I’ve gone
’cause I’m sure there’ll be a For Rent sign
on a nice li’l trailer in the great beyond….
Word Count: 148
January 22, 2017 A devastating storm passed through Dougherty County GA spawning a tornado that ripped through What Pegman Saw: Radium Springs GA
The January 23, 2017 Albany Herald reported the following:
“Some of the worst destruction occurred in the Radium Springs area along Holly Drive approaching the intersection of U.S. Highway 19. Paradise Village Mobile Home Park, located at 600 Holly Drive and directly in the path of the twister, was almost completely destroyed.”
Super illustration of the resilience of spirit of people with very little to sustain them except family love. The way you emphasise that with the lines
“and my sister’s- ex-fi-ance’s -brother-in-law
has done his last parole.”
is just brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Penny. The gut level honesty endears me as well..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem is wonderful, but the new is awful.
I knew the storm was coming, though I’m UK resident I do catch US forecasts (Isn’t YouTube great!) But, it’s gutting that only this morning I was Googling along the highways looking for a suitable shot. My take on Radium Springs posts on Monday, and in the wake of this … yea. Swallow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This particular storm was in 2017, but our south eastern states take a beating. Looking forward to your take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t know why that brings relief. It still happened. But I guess to folks in ‘wind-torn’ places it’s a chance they take. Same as me, squeezed between tidal river and the sea, and the next surge might get me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every place has an element or two that seem to like disrupting it. Ours are fire and the occasional earthquake, But life goes on despite them both..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine is water. The North Sea. We complain if it’s frosty-white in the morning, cos it’s so unusual. We get excited if it snows. We hate it if we get icy winds from the East — straight in from Siberia. But I look what’s happening in Europe at the moment and … I swear I live in God’s Blessed Garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the voice, the resilience of the people, and the truth you’ve captured between the lines. I also think you may have written the next top country song.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You got time, you can write the music! hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree it would make an excellent country song. Shop it around, girlfriend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re too kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d much rather hear that than another song about a good ol boy and his truck taking his gal fishn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great voice, and who wouldnt rather rest in peace by the fireside? Love “the trailer park of my dreams,” and that parole line is golden. Grim backstory, but I suspect, at the news of her own passing on, this one took it in stride.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe your right on all counts. Thanks so much for dropping in and commenting.
LikeLike
What a brilliant voice this contains, Violet, with no tinges of regret, or remorse, just acceptance. Of oneself and one’s lot. So rare these days. Great piece. Thanks for posting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank you for stopping by and commenting Kelvin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Violet.
LikeLike
I love this, the voice and brilliant lines … So well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kelley!
LikeLiked by 1 person