Chasing the Blues

~ D.S. Martin Search for what you've never seen trace rumours of the bluesman said to play in front of that delta five & dime lug your microphones and recording machine to catch & set free an endangered bird Like grabbing an echo in your hands grasp in the field what you've never heard a beauty undervalued in the eye of its holder Whisper to street corners what versions you know of the shifting name of Blind Willie McTell perhaps you'll hear near some Atlanta hotel a voice in the wilderness an insightful guide leading through the labyrinth of life's hard side Within his lap is a dancing twelve-string & a perfect map is within his mind of every blind street he's ever wandered Strain to hear the hum of the guitarist straining strings over fast fists in an Arkansas dance hall A toppling kerosene drum clangs flowing flames dance to his rhythm & the screaming crowd rushes out He runs in for he can't afford to lose that guitar now named for the girl they fought about You follow strange routes chasing the blues