I couldn’t help
but ask his name:
Cherokee.
His Mother was 100% Native.
He’s been going by that name since the 60’s.
Said he’s from Shreveport, Louisiana.
I should have guessed by the song in his words.
Said he has kids – 5 in Georgia, 5 in Texas, 1 in Florida.
Thought about trying to get a church
to buy him a bus ticket to go see them.
16 grandkids, only met a quarter of them.
Showed me his harmonica,
the only thing he’s never sold.
Played me a quick song, then said
“Yeah we made it big in Tennessee.”
Lived with a señorita
in Beaumont for about 7 months.
She tried to teach him Spanish,
But he couldn’t take working
in the grape fields.
Thought about going to Mexico,
but couldn’t understand the language.
Got hit by a car in Panama City,
and lived in a old folks home
until he was out of the wheel chair.
Then he hit the road again,
“goes where the wind blows.”
© Gabriel Forsyth 2012
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