She’s got a braid in her hair,
some country boots,
and a sweet scent.
She loves these mountains,
her momma,
and a glass of sweet tea.
You’ll find her
in those mountains,
on the fourwheeler,
with a gun,
or just resting by the creek.
Country music on the radio
with all of her friends
by the fire with a beer.
She’s got the heart
of a fighter and
the soul of a gypsy.
In that jacked up truck
riding shotgun and feet out the window
they don’t slow down for nothin’.
She was raised there in those mountains
and she’s got moonshine in her veins.
Southern hospitality
on her table,
she knows her manners.
Raised right.
She don’t go out
without wavin’ and honkin’
everybody knows her name.
That Southern drawl
will steal your heart
faster than you can blink.
She can bait a hook
and she can load a gun.
Friday night football games
Saturday night bonfires
Sunday morning churches.
She’s got a little bit of devil
in her angel eyes.
She loves them coal miners
keepin’ her lights on.
Flyin’ down a backroad
she hates them city lights.
There ain’t never
a line or a red light
thats too long.
She’s got tan legs
frayed blue jeans
and her shirt tied up just right.
There ain’t nothin
as deep as those hills she’s in.
Cruisin’ the Walmart parking lot
the movies
or just the bypass.
She can hold her own.
She’s a lover
but if you do her wrong
boy, she can be a fighter.
Football makes her crazy
and so does whiskey.
Them city boys
they love her accent
but she don’t like theirs.
She’ll work hard
and you can bet
she won’t stop.
On the lake
is where she wants to be
tanning or fishing or relaxin’
but that comes after work.
She’s always got
that cute little grin
and a kiss that tastes just right.
She’s got a big heart
and she talks slow and sweet.
You might call
where she’s from bloody
but to her
it will always be home.
Harlan.I was born and raised in Harlan County, KY. It's a very small town Southeast from here, and it's all mountains. There's nothing to do, but we all made the best out of it every day. From football games to bonfires to just being there for each other, me and my friends lived it up there in those hollers and backroads. People have a lot of negative things to say about Harlan, but to me, it is my heart and my home. I'm proud to be a Southern Belle.
Erica,
ReplyDeletewhen I was reading this I couldn't stop thinking how it sounded like professionally written song lyrics! The reason I came to Kentucky was because I always wanted to live in the South, and it sounds to me from your poem that you came from the epitome of the Southern lifestyle. Reading this made me want to go to your town and be a Southern Belle, too, and I loved how you personified your town so positively. I could tell this reflected who you are and where you are from.
Allie
Erica,
ReplyDeleteThis personification is vivid. You've worked hard to give us very specific details, images, and characteristics. You start with a physical description that you return to later, telling us that she is wearing country boots and has a braid in her hair---immediately suggesting a practical, no-fuss approach to clothing. There are some great juxtapositions here that add complexity to your personification, such as "She’s got a little bit of devil / in her angel eyes," which is a perfect physical description to sum up the preceding lines that contrast partying with going to church. You're description of cruising spots such as a Walmart parking lot reminding me of my home town in AL, where teenagers often drive in circles, pull into a parking spot for a spell, and then circle again. You're attention to detail is so strong that, even if people who read this aren't form Harlan, they will still be able to connect to the parts that are similar to their own experiences. Well done!
Erica,
ReplyDeleteI throughly enjoyed reading this piece about your hometown. When I first met you I perceived you as having many of these characteristics you described when personifying your hometown. You painted a picture for me and listed the activities that take place in Harlan County. Good Job!!
-Kayla