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Poems by Jim Clark
John Lee Hooker
(Originally appeared in Jim Clark's second book of poetry,
Handiwork(St Andrews College Press, 1998). Reprinted
here by permission)
Boom Boom Boom Boom! John Lee Hooker's in town,
And Memphis holds its breath as the Kingsnake stomps
To splinters the rickety stage. The swamps
Beyond the bridge tremble. New Madrid slides down.
His voice, a raw, raucous rumble we drown
In, swoops, slides, simmers, soothes, and Hooker chomps
His pipestem, leans into the story and whomps
His Gibson a lick or two in G. A frown
Creases the cracked leather of his fine face
And his dark glasses fog. Ancient as the river
Two blocks over, he conjures devil weather--
The great flood of Tupelo--and to that place,
And us, listening, declares "I won't ever
Forget it, and I know you won't either."
©Jim Clark
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