Black and White
I hear a train wreck blowing
Friends laughing behind my back
My love from the rebel side of
Railroad tracks
And I sit here strumming in-between
Streets of white and black
Though I feel a train wreck rambling
I don’t give a damn
I see a garden growing
All colored flowers one
My love is stuck in prison
For others racial dumb
And I sit here strumming in-between
Weeds of white and black
And I sing of love and train crash
Just like your Johnny Cash
He wasn’t ‘fraid of nothing
Much less of white and black
He only wore one color
But never turned his back
And I sit here strumming in-between
Rails of this beaten track
Though I feel a train wreck rambling
I don’t give a damn
And I love you country woman
Because
We walk the line.
Call me Hanq 
dude, put it to music and get it on the radio….smiles…just saying…i like that you straddle the fence between the two…and i love trains and train tracks…maybe not a wreck but those happen….hope that love gets out the pokey as well…smiles.
Great poem. Beautifully written and I enjoyed the imagery.
I agree with Brian… this is very musical, Henry… love it!
Henry, Johnny Cash would have loved this and would not have given damn either! Kudos!
Your allusions to the Cash songs work so well, entwining with the themes of his words and yours like a duet. I loved his version of Reznor’s Hurt. Your juxtaposition of lines works well to intensify the sense of a spacious border separating the lovers The iterations of the foreboding train wreck are like a chorus reminding us of both the risk of love and its power. It sings as beautifully as anything he ever wrote. Beautiful.
Thank you, Anna, I love your read on my writes. Always so insightful and encouraging. And I appreciate the time you take to consider the entire presentation.
I wanted to pick up my guitar! Lovely, lyrical, made me want to sing!
Excellent. I was intrigued and unable to keep the music from my mind. Your use of repetition is skilled and so enhanced this wonderful poem.
I know, the strength of the melody and orig lyrics was a challenge, because the song kept playing in my head as I tried to write my theme. I think in the end it did overpower my purpose, but it was a fun write and experiment. Thank you for your comment. And I don’t use repitition, I have a poetic studder 🙂 but thank you, I am a skilled studderer 🙂
you had me with the tracks. fascinated with anything trains. love this modern and edgy ballad. pic is fabulous as well. nothing but praises from me… great work!
And I sit here strumming in-between
Rails of this beaten track…oh i like…best thing to make music in the face of the challenges of life…musical as ever sir henry..i like
Fantastic . Lovely tribute to country women. Feels very Johnny Cash.
Cool – not in form, but nonetheless a true blues song. Like the tribute to J. Cash throughout and the reference to the never ending racial conflicts that occur everywhere but which seems to steamengine through US politics our entire history. Just as we make progress the cars seem to come unlinked. Well done.
Hi Henry! (great last name, btw) This is a wonderful poem, lyrical, deep and touching. Excellent! (and thank you for the “Hersheys cometh” comment, loved that 🙂
YW, I noticed you liked Harold and Maude. Recently ran across it; loved it. Come visit again.
lovely write with just the perfect amount of grit Henry. Send you love and peace ~ Rose
This is wonderful, it should be a song, it is a song… with its very own music. A lovely, intriguing write.