My Pappy’s Harp

You were 83
the first time

I heard it cry
for your

Silver-Haired Daddy,
and you were 83

the first time
it told me

you lost your
little darlin’

the night they
were playin’

the beautiful
Tennessee Waltz.

Your harmonica finally
let me in on

the secrets
the cows

the horses
and the birds

around Sale Creek
all used to know.

–September 18, 2017