When a man loves a woman in Glory
River, she runs like fire if she knows what’s
good for her – & most don’t, we admit that much –
because any boy grows up here gets Ugly
for his middle name. our boys don’t know how
to take a girl to Hester’s Drive-in & hold
her hand or call her up & tell her she’s
pretty or just plant a soft little kiss
right below her earlobe – that’s not the way
we do it. We take her for a ride & jack
the truck up to a hundred, scare cold sweat
out of her, then run a hand up her shirt
& get slapped good. Timing’s got to be exact.
Look at that moon, we say in dulcet tones,
jerking a thumb – Got my guitar in the back.
Thought maybe you’d like to hear some George Jones.