Poem: Knoxville Hobo

 

Hobo

 

breeze laps the side of a pond

lazy and wet while

lotuses float and i sway

as if a old hound

was leashed to my saunter.

 

down i go to the railroad tracks,

crucifixion of steel

long and unbroken--

should i wait, arms out,

gazing left at the pawpaws,

their greasy fruit ready

for my feast, their

pleasure on my tongue,

 

ooooooooooooooooooh

and a little beer?

 

i’ve gone down many times

for the pawpaw fruit guarded by

devil’s stick and nettle’s breath.

 

be sure not to tickle the thorns. 

 

the sun is a woman’s smile

thin above her green skirt

when you lie back and gaze

at that soft river.

 

 

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"Aralia spinosa, commonly known as devil's walking stick, is a woody species of plant in the genus Aralia of the family Araliaceae. It is native to eastern North America. The various names refer to the viciously sharp, spiny stems, petioles and even leaf midribs. It has also been known as Angelica-tree.[2]"