Last Dance

Come dance with me, my little one
Wrap your arms around my knee
Place your feet on my big ol' foot
Come on an' dance with me.

Hey, dance with me, oh Daddy dear
We'll twist fast an' gyrate slow
Don't be afraid there's no one here
I'll show you how to go.

Come dance with me, oh daughter dear
I'll hold you close this one last time
Your groom is waiting patiently,
But for this dance you're mine.

Love Song

The hills are calling to me more and more in the last few weeks. Work, a crazy economy, terrible gas prices and Wall Street making folks crazy have kept me away far too long. I have been an indentured servant to the needs of the job and my heart flutters with grieving as I drive past fields or waiting corn, meadows full of deer grazing on dying grasses. When I see birds gathering for their southern journey, I dream of the hills of home, of my little cabin in the woods, of the oranges, reds and yellows of tall oaks, hickory and maple trees.

Soon and very soon I shall escape, without telling anyone, without a word of warning, I will slip out quietly and run home again, to the mountain I love, to my muse, my solice, my quiet place.

I dream of sitting on my porch with a big ol' glass of sweet tea, maybe my harmonica in my pocket and a dulcimer on my lap. Maybe I'll play a tune or two or maybe I'll just sit and listen to the whisper of the woods, calling to me through the evening as twilight sneaks up on me, finding myself in the night before I am ready to give over the day to sleep.

I will dream of the trees, of the rocks and ridges that call to me, that sing a love song in the night, that lull me to sleep.

I will awaken refreshed and glad. Morning with dance with me in the dew laden grass and we shall wrap our arms around the day, morning and I. We will dance and the birds will sing our joy at being home once again.

That is where my heart is. They say that when the last queen of Hawaii died, she had her heart removed and buried secretly while her body went through the dignities of a Western Culture funeral.

Maybe she had it right.

Wherever my body shall rest, my heart shall dance in the wet dew with the morning for eternity.

Autumn Song

I revel in the fall.
I shout at the hills
Telling them it is here.
I want to dance
Through the hollers
Down the weary paths
Round the oak and hickory
Singin' the trees a lullaby
Tellin' them to rest, sleep
Wake up in the spring.
I want to reel and waltz
Round an' round
The mountain laurel
Down the deer trail
Twirlin' about
As the mornin' mist
And multicolored leaves
Swirl round my dancin' feet
As the clefts an' rises
Echo my call
Repeat my song
It is fall.

First Dance

I can still remember the first time I ever laid eyes on her. She was probably the prettiest girl I had ever seen in my entire life. I saw her across the room...not too very far away. Close enough to hear her voice and see the crowd around her.

Those first few moments are still impressed in my memory these many years later. Funny how we remember when we first see a beautiful girl.

Everybody wanted to spend time with her. I had to wait my turn. When there was finally a moment for me and her to get to know each other, I just didn't know what to say. I stood there like a big goon and looked into her eyes.

I melted when she looked at me. As she looked at me I think I could see myself in the depths of her eyes. We looked at each other awkwardly for just a moment. That was all it took. I was in love, cousin. I was head over heels in love from right then on.

Now, I know you won't believe it, but before I spoke a word to her I did something bold. I took her into my arms and hugged her. I stepped back, looked at her and hugged her tight again.

Then we danced. Yes, we danced right then and there. Before a word was said I held this wonderful, beautiful girl in my arms, her head on my chest so close I am sure she could hear my heart beating so fast. Surely she heard as I held my breath, wondering if she would, could love me as much as I aready loved her?

Round the room we danced. It was as if the world stopped and we waltzed in eternity for just that moment. No one mattered but her just them. No one was there but us. She and I were cheek to cheek and I did not want the moment to end.

Finally I stopped. A little embarrassed, I grinned and looked around. Yeah, folks were smiling indulgent smiles. They recognized a guy bowled over by a beautiful girl.

I decided I better say something, anything. We had just met. What to say first. I looked at her and she just watched me for ever so long...waitin, I suppose.

Finally I opened my awkward mouth and spoke to her for the first time. And yes, I told her I loved her right then.

I remember it even today.

I looked deep into her eyes. Again I saw myself deep in the reflections of her wonderful eyes. And I told her...


"Daddy loves you, sweet little girl. I love you and will tell you that for the rest of my life."