This Poem was Submitted By: Jana Buck Hanks On Date: 2004-07-11 17:40:03 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!
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FIDDLIN' 1952 early morning electric light
crept from under my parent's door
moved like silent shadow bright
along the smooth oaken floor
conversation deadlock alto and bass
haltingly murmured underground trace
something snakes strangely out of place
expectancy pulsing in those who wait
squalls rattle uncaulked panes
wild winds whistle long doleful songs
expressing piercing crisscross duet
hammered a hard rain sermonette
between cracks of old buffeted façade
currents of lightening violently spike
above the din is a name shouted loudly
screened door repeatedly thud-fist pounded
even in the dead of stormy autumn nights
farm to farm long distance reality flight
travels fast hand delivering news in surprise
of Fiddlin' John Morgan Salyer's demise
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Copyright © July 2004 Jana Buck Hanks
Additional Notes:
Additional Notes:
Roy Berry's Farm, Clinton, Kentucky
Fiddlin' John Morgan Salyer
Was inducted into the Fiddler’s Hall of Fame, years after he departed this world.
His home recordings are housed at Berea College, Berea, Kentucky.
He never allowed his music to be sold and very few musicians could
Copy his style…it is very Scots-Irish in nature. He began playing the fiddle at 4 years of age.
All of his grandchildren are musical in one way or the other, guess it is in the genes.
This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2004-07-30 16:02:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.20000
Never heard of this musician. Is there tapes available? Did he ever play outside? like at a folk festival?
I kept thinking of Dylan's "It's a hard rain gonna fall." whilst I read this. Once again you show your
initimable style (and yes you do have one whatever it's called).It's a great story you portrayed
here in sight, sound, and metre. I enjoyed that. Thanks.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2004-07-17 20:14:02
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Very interesting and filled with information concerning this man who could make the fiddle speak his language.....he must have presented such a sound and his love for the music goes without saying since he would not allow it to be sold.....he made no profit on his work but was further able to give his takent to his children and grandchildren which says it all......good structure, nice word flow and good rhymn as well.....images certainly pop out as this reader travels on. I have been to a few fiddlers concerts in the Berkshires and enjoyed each one of them.....it is so nice to watch young and old alike partake in the presentation of music and their love of it as well. Thanks for posting and sharing. Be safe, God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lennard J. McIntosh On Date: 2004-07-15 23:01:54
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.00000
Re: "FIDDLIN' 1952"
Oh my, but how I can relate to what you've written. My family hit the US shortly after 1746,
[they lived in the Mohawk Valley in New York] and then to Canada in 1796 for free land, simply
"nutsy-coo coo" over that Scots-Irish flavored fiddle music of your poem. I had the privilege of
being raised by my Grandfather and in turn knew his dad, and remember him and the Saturday
night kitchen parties very well. Although I enjoy a range of music, when I hear the kind of
which you've written I simply cannot surpress the whoops and yells that it demands.
You have certainly struck a nostalgic cord, writer. And have linked it with a delightful
poem.
Thank you for posting.
Len McIntosh
This Poem was Critiqued By: Wayne R. Leach On Date: 2004-07-14 22:04:55
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Jana, a very interesting piece. I have only one thought. I was distracted somewhat by the changing rhyme scheme. Would it be possible to alter a few words with synonyms to make this rhyme scheme more uniform. I think it would strengthen the poem immensely. I did enjoy the tale in spite of the minor distractions of the rhyme thing. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to hear some of that fiddlin'. :>)
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