May 14, 2025Down in the Gully
I seen him
down in the gully,
walking like he was beyond the reach of Time.
I seen his arms, they was swinging like this,
like them Post oaks during sundown
when everything dies down cept the Moon and the ’yotes.
It was like he was searching for Nothing,
cept Nothing was Something
and he ain’t ever had it.
He was makin way for the bluff behind the trees,
prancing with what appeared a bunny
leading him through the thornbushes
like it knew where they was a-heading
and he didn’t God forbid.
Why that’s the bluff.
That’s the very bluff which peers down into
the river. The enemy: the river—
the water violent flowing surging so horribly and deadly
it’s the Devil, I reckon.
He was looking for it, I reckon.
I reckon I haven’t a clue where the boy is,
only where he is not.
I reckon you’ll never find him,
and that’s the God-honest truth.
from #87 – Spring 2025