2005/stevie.wpd

The house painter puts on Stevie Ray Vaughn,
and talks about playing guitar with a band,
how they got together recently and jammed.
He keeps remembering scenes
from Oh Brother as we play Alison Krauss.
And tells me about the days when
he traveled the U.S. painting houses
for some wealthy eccentric who
never finished what he began.
About working on Andy Williams’ house
and years later doing it again when
the rich guy got his hands on it.
He grins as he tells his stories,
moves quickly, instructing his assistant
in the fine details of their work,
artful craftsmanship I feared might be gone.
It strengthens my commitment to intuition,
I liked him better than anyone else who came.
And trusted his words by the way he pointed
his forefinger to the dark spots on the door.

10/27/05