Southern Legitimacy Statement: Born in Florida, I received my first round of higher education at the last state supported nunnery: Mississippi University for Women, where I majored in music, theater and religion: like all professional spinsters, I can sing, read, pray and starve. I was raised on sweet iced tea and guilt: the house wines of good Southern establishments. I worship at the shrines of Eudora Welty, Flannery O’Connor, and Evelyn Gandy. I recognize that Saturdays from late August through January are holy days. I know the universal southern password: bless your heart.
The Old Gray Mule and The Airplane: Blake in the 21st Century
Old Gray Mule who killed thee?
Dost though know who killed thee?
Cracked the whip and chained thee
To the sweet gum sapling tree
Gave thee such a fearsome blow
Slipped thy hooves and laid thee low
Fetched the saw and felled the tree
To save thy life and set thee free
Old Gray Mule who killed thee
Dost though know who killed thee?
Old Grey Mule I’ll tell thee;
Old Grey Mule I’ll tell thee.
Not the boy of chain or scourge
The man that boy became did purge
From story facts of you demise;
To spare the children, kindness lies.
Old Gray Mule, God bless thee.
Old Gray Mule, God bless thee.
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Airplane, Airplane, burning bright
In Manhattan sky of night
What immortal hand or eye
Could cause or watch impassively?
From what heaven, from what hell
Could the senseless action swell?
What great lesson could require
The sacrifice in airborne fire?
And what power, and what art
Could twist the airplane’s frame apart?
And when so many ceased to be
Did pain and loss reach even Thee?
What the motive? What intent?
A random act or of elect?
What the consequence? What gain?
Benevolence or evil reign?
When the stars did pale their light
And showered waters with the flight
Did God smile that work to see?
Free will absolve both man and He?
Airplane, Airplane, burning bright
In Manhattan sky of night
What immortal hand or eye
Could cause, or watch, impassively?
