Anna Mae’s Woodlawn Baptist Choir Director
Show the Lord respect when you sing, Lil’ Anna.
That riffing rasp, clap, and thud belong to the devil.
Devil Anna, leave the Lord’s house with respect.
All that risp raffing, clud, and thap belong to backwoods.
Backwoods respect the hymns of the Lord, Lil’ Anna.
Field-horse clops and ridding thisp of hornets’ praise.
Praise Anna, thick with riffs and runs and rasp.
Roll Little Anna, scrape-rock the mighty psalms.
Psalms rasp, clisp the scriff from belly deep.
Puff and push notes from the Lord’s house—
Temple’s heavy with bluster and blue, Lil’ Tina,
Showboat it righteous like you know I taught you.
Notes:
Audio poem performed by the author.
Source:
Poetry
(November 2023)
