Keeping up with RJ

Hard times have fallen

But the sun will shine again

It’s going to be all right baby

But I can’t say when

Well it’s hard times now

But the sun will shine again

Don’t know where I’m going,

But it’s better than where I been

Phone rang this morning,

Woke me out of bed

A hand came through the receiver

Shook me upside my head

Well there’s hard times people,

Getting worse every day

Bad luck’s got hold of me,

Every which way I turn

Should sell my soul to the devil

People say don’t talk that way

Hard times have fallen

But the sun will shine again

I'm a steady rolling woman

I roll both night and day

But I haven't got no sweet thing

To roll along with me

No one to roll along with me

Makes me feel so lonesome,

Can’t keep from crying, 

Can’t keep my eyes dry

Losing love’s tough that way,

Got to keep on struggling to get by

No time to worry if my life’s been in vain

Felix gone, left me behind

Been on my mind, left me quite blind

Life and death entwined

I’m a steady rolling woman

Staying on my grind

Hoping the stars stay aligned

Boarding that train

Not high on cocaine

Holding off the pain, feigning delight,

Got to slay these blues tonight

I'm a free-rolling woman

Heading down life’s highway

A steady rolling woman

Standing at the crossroads

Lost track of time, 

brain out of whack

A turning tempo of time

Expecting the devil by & by

With his bag full of illusions

Want to find out why

Got my eyes on the prize,

Devil got his eyes on me

Lost love along the way

Don’t know night from day

Rolling along singing my song

Not too lonesome to

Write a poem in vain

Soul trains coming,

Looking for a ride

To follow my dream

Follow them along

My mind’s going for a ride tonight

The blues are on my soul tonight

Got to keep struggling, rolling along

A rolling stone gathers no moss,

Fight those blues

Trying to stay right

I’m a steady rolling woman

Rolling to the crossroads

Keeping time with my hand jive  

Making up my mind

Where I’m going this day in time

*  I wrote this song some time ago, way back in 2012, and somehow it never made its way here.  Of course, it's for Robert Johnson. I own his complete collection and I love RJ. Everyone knows the story about how he went to the crossroads and the devil took his life. If not - look it up. Pretty fantastic stuff. 

I DENY IT, I AM NOT A RAPPER

The sky moves beneath my feet; a glistening sun burns my feet

I behold in agony - sadness searching for laughter, I turn to old movies

A checkered sunset rises westbound another demonstration of old things turning new

Tempestuous over tides ruin blandishing broomstick houses

A fire consumes my overgrown garden

Rheumy overtures turn on anticipation mode
I wait while I fight fires or let go

The deep dark vilifications waiting below

The sky moves beneath my feet, planets aligned with fate ignites

Success coming in each new breath, intake and release faith

Tremors take hold, separate skin from bones penetrate my will to procreate

A life out of sight a brand new game emerges from flames

I enter a new dimension, time all aglow with hearts and broken rainbows

Forms beneath my feet towers of past delight but mostly hurts out of sight

Letting blame go becomes easier day to day trying to make it burn to incite more delight

Feign letting go, letting go girl is so hard to do

Hold on to just deserts, I got my last swirl in mad swirl swimming in converts following my concerts

I will get mine tonight

The time’s just right

I will get mine tonight

My just delights

Will be mine at long last

Come on and say it with me:

My just delights

Will be mine at long last

XX’s dad insists on calling me rapper and arguing about it is senseless although I deny it. “I am not a rapper.” I say. My Indian physical therapists insist too. “You are a rapper miss Joy.” I deny it again. “I am not a rapper I declare.” I jam my poetry to music, my baby bluetry.” They say, “OK, OK, we don’t know what to call you we want to come out and support you at your next performance.” Call me you what you want. You can’t define my style and there’s the rub, compare me to anyone.

I feel it in my soul tonight, my poetry and voice reveals your heart. Art a la carte is coming to town via Violet. Blowing in with wind.

Living life is out outta sight, and the glory shall be he said to me, death is coming for everyone. I got the right. I overpaid my dues too just like Rodriguez who lives next door to me.

The sky moves beneath my feet at my command

My just delights will be mine at long last, stay in tune for the jazz band

Aligns with sun signs long past due

I contritely join another band with my last strand of energy

Because I will never let go, my words survive.