Sonnet for a Songbird by Mary Cimarolli
I love Willie Nelson. I grew up listening to his music. I’ve seen him perform twice at the Backyard, and I think he puts on a great show. I was delighted to read this in the Texas Poetry Calendar 2008 and I think Cimarolli definitely captured his essence.
Sonnet for a Songbird
By Mary Cimarolli
When Willie picks and frets, his music calls
to those who harbor no pretense or airs
and all for whom his whiskey voice enthralls.
When Nelson culls a chord, his soul he bares.
On stage he warms his way to fans’ embrace.
A lazy creek on summer day, he charms
with grizzly grin, guitar, and whiskered face.
With “Crazy” and “Blue Eyes” our dude disarms.
Though face is witness to his rugged life,
and weathered voice bespeaks his country ways,
our Willie sings of love, of loss, and strife;
his pigtails: signature of why he plays.
What other scofflaw gins up such pathos?
Whatever will we do when Willie Goes?
