Morning at From the Ground Up
after Tom Montag’s “Lines for January 10”
Above the subzero gusts
casting handfuls of grainy snow
against the coffee shop’s windows,
this flowing-floating voice lifts
one last long-held note,
and faces downturned over
the day’s news tilt upward—all
suddenly alive with an inner light,
drifting off on the sun-dappled water
of Linda Ronstadt’s “Blue Bayou”.
***
Joseph Hutchison, Colorado Poet Laureate 2014-2019, has published 20 collections of poems and edited or co-edited three poetry anthologies. He currently directs two master’s-level programs for University College at the University of Denver: Professional Creative Writing and Arts & Culture Management. Joe lives with his wife, Melody Madonna, in the mountains southwest of Denver, Colorado, the city where he was born. 
What's that poem with the line "so many she-faces", Ed? Can't recall. Wait till 2 a.m. or so.<br /><br />My dictionary says "handfuls" for the plural, but in any case, that's the way we say it here in the Wild West….<br /><br />Now back on Blue Bayou… I dunno….
got her very first lp<br />somewhere<br /><br />I think it s next to Judy Henske<br /><br />those WHERE the days<br />my friend<br />i thought<br />they'd NEVER end<br /><br />….<br />and<br /><br />not to pick nits<br />but isn't it<br /><br />"handsful" rather than "handfuls" ?<br /><br />now<br />here also<br /><br />it is drift off into her … rhythms<br /><br
It's funny—until I heard Ronstadt's version yesterday, Orbison's was my favorite. The fact that he wrote it makes a difference, for some reason. But oh my, Linda Ronstadt arrived and stole my heart, especially with that last redemptive note….
Joseph,<br /><br />your "Morning at From the Ground Up" is a wonderful evocation of a place and a state.<br /><br />But I prefer Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou": who reaches those beautiful altos better?