POEM - Three Feet Above

The new place was different than we expected

It’s what happens sometimes

When you rent a place

Based on 6 fuzzy photos from Craig’s list

And last minute desperation

The whole thing sat on an acre out in the country

Looked like a secluded joint

Quiet rural neighborhood

With five bedrooms

                        And a storm shelter

Turns out the satellite photos were out of date

The empty lots on either side

Now had two homes a piece

With mariachi music flowing like sangria

We toughed it out

Got used to most of it

Dealt with the rest

Happy and comfortable

It was about this time I picked up a new CD

Another one from Mofro

And their glorious Florida swamp rock

I was starting to understand them

Better than I ever had in the desert

Changing from novelty into anthem

We were hanging around the kitchen

I turned up my new favorite

JJ Grey was belting out the hook

“Call me dirt floor cracker /

            But them words just fill me with pride!”

I knew what he meant

            Made me think of something funny

“Hey!” I blurted out “at least we aren’t dirt floor crackers!

            We’re three feet above the dirt!”

Ha! trailer humor!

            Everyone laughed as we sat down to dinner

Fried green tomatoes, rhubarb pie

            Grits and fried chicken

And our favorite Southern vegetable

            Homemade macaroni and cheese