Promise

Promise
by jamh
14-Mar-2009
 

The last time I heard you say
Oh, the last words I heard
in the dark, almost a dream
the words I thought you said:

"If you hear me coming
through these four empty walls
If I won't bring you flowers,
I'll get you something red.

If, in this pleasant valley
instead of spinning like a top
I lay my head to your ground,
take your rain, wash your scar,

it's because of the devil,
that came when I was gone."
Oh Daddy, I know, the pain,
lost as you are, in constant war

hungry, or cold, or drunk
I know too what it feels to be cut.
I don't want, not from now on.
Not a little girl, not anymore.

As I look, without you, to the far
as I take my canvas bag, filled
not with cash or makeup
but with wish, with my core

As I look without cynicism
to the real landscape in front
I promise you this. I won't,
until I drop, ever give up.

jam09

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Anonymously

Reminds me a little of

by Anonymously on Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:35 AM PDT

Reminds me a little of "Daddy" by Sylvia Plath... although a different sentiment. Love the juxtaposition of 'cash' and 'wish'... today & tomorrow... naghd & nessiyeh! You can hear a sample of Last Kind Word Blues at amazon.com or more of it here.


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jamh

Ah, I found it.  It's

by jamh on Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:25 AM PDT

Ah, I found it.  It's amazing what you can find online these days.  I urge you to seek out this song and listen to it, it is truly great (and quite different from the poem, although you will find that the gist is the same, weird what stays in your subconscience).

Check out "The Last Kind Words Blues" by Geechie Wiley.  Here it is:

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Last Kind Words Blues
by Geechie Wiley

(Guitar Intro)

The last kind word I heard my daddy say
Lord the last kind word I heard my daddy say

If I die, if I die in the German War
I want you to send my body, send it to my mother-in-law

If I get killed, if I get killed, please don’t bury my (soul) (sword)
I (p’fer) just leave me out, let the buzzards eat me whole

When you see me comin’, look ‘cross the (rich man’s) (Richland) field
If I don’t bring you flour, I’ll bring you (?)

(Guitar Solo)

I went to the depot, I looked up at the sign
Cry some train don’t come, there’ll be some walkin’ done

My momma told me, just before she died
Lord, (since the dawn, I thought you’d be so wise) (I brought you a piece of ?)

The Mississippi River, you know it’s deep and wide
I can stand right here, see my (babe) (face) from the other side

What you do to me baby, it never gets out of me
I mean I’ll see you, after I cross the deep blue sea

 


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jamh

Thank you very much.  To

by jamh on Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:15 AM PDT

Thank you very much.  To give credit where it's due, some of the lines in the poem, mostly those spoken by the ghost of the father, come from an old "negro" (I don't mean to be demeaning here) song from the thirties.

 


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Princess

Powerful...

by Princess on Sat Mar 14, 2009 08:22 AM PDT

and beautiful. Thank you!


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Jahanshah Javid

Great

by Jahanshah Javid on Sat Mar 14, 2009 07:13 AM PDT

A great promise. A great poem.


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