Nothin'

Nothin' sweeter
Than sourwood honey
Stirred into butter
Spread right thick
On a Martha White biscuit.

Nothin' brighter
Than the stars
Just a shinin'
Down on the mountains
Through a deep velvety night.

Nothin' clearer
Than well water
Drawn cold from the deeps
From the heart of the hills
Sipped from an icy tin dipper.

Nothin' better
Than the smilin' blue eyes
Thick auburn hair
A soft mountain drawl
Irish beauty hidden
In a hillbilly girl.

Hen Scratchings

Dusty barnyard
Chickens scratchin'
Sanscrit
In the dirt.

Quick One

Up yonder in the holler
In the sudden snow
Spring sneaks
A peak.

Night Sweats

I ain't afraid of the wind.
Blowin' at the roof,
Pushin' on the door,
Whisperin' at the cracks.

I ain't afraid of the dark.
Washin' o'er the house,
Standin' round my bed,
Wrappin' over me.

I ain't afraid of noises.
Creakin' in my ear,
Cryin' at the night,
Scratchin' to get in.

I ain't afraid.
I'm sure not scared,
Not worried,
Or concerned a bit.

I just like
To cover my head
Scrunch up tight
So, that's the end of it!

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."