Jack and Willie and Dennis and Me, by John Irvine

Jack and Willie and Dennis and Me

no doubt about it
the blacktop has
five star charisma   it’ s compelling
concupiscent
carnal   it made Jack
a lot of money
in spite of himself
and On the Road
is still the definitive
“ finding yourself” handbook   Willie follows it in a bus
with a band
a philosophy
and an attitude
on the road again
for him
is not so much a song
as an anthem   Dennis and Peter
did it for Hollywood
back in the 60s
trying to find America
from the seats of
a pair of chopped Harleys
(it’ s still lost)   me?
convention
responsibility
and fiscal negativity
have been occasional anchors
however
with a little nudging
fudging
and bludging
I’ ve kept the anchors dragging   but
that elusive
seductive
undeniable
unreliable
white-split vortex of tar
sucks at my socks
while I drink my fears
and tell myself
I’ ve settled down

poems.one - John Irvine

John Irvine