“I Am From Maudie Ree and Sargent Pearl” – Sara Beth Riddell

1.I am from Maudie Ree and Sargent Pearl,

Kosher Wine replaced by Cree and Cherokee,

I am from the road, gypsy livin’,

Nomads with nowhere to go and nowhere to be,

 

2.I am from The Lone Star state line, a border baby,

Honeysuckle’s oh so sweet, but humble, boots and buckles,

I am from Mamacita and Nani, barefoot and beautiful,

Native hair and exotic eyes, brown skin in a sea of white,

“Say your prayers baby girl,” and, “Clean your bathroom sink.”,

 

3.I am from Spanish Harlem and June Carter,

No Me Queda Mas and Wildwood Flower,

I am from dysfunctional but lovable, hard times and harder people,

Couch quarter finder’s, baby raisers,

You want the tapa and put on your chanclas,

Tales of the Coo Cooi and hold on, it’s cooking,

 

4.I am from blue bonnets and grass stains,

“I Don’t want to go”, and “Don’t leave me.”,

Iraq and Military, Dog tags and American flags,

She’s an R.O.T.C gypsy lady, home grown and on her own,

 

5.I am from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Candle light mass and Mother Mary,

Pray the Rosary and practice your confession,

I am from Alleluia and turn to 519,

The Holy Eucharist,

Our parish,

I am from “Peace be with you,” and kneeling before the church pew,

A garden of thought and like a hospital for the sick,

 

6.I am from Maudie Ree and Sargent Pearl,

Johnny Cash and Carlos Santana,

Friday Night Lights, Tailgates and tanlines,

Bonfires and going along with what was going on,

Fishing in the dark and stoppin’ on I-35,

Priscilla hair and bless your heart,

 

7.I am from Nana’s ChinaBerry Tree and sweet tea,

Back home come on music, Dixieland Delight,

Sundays in the South and “You’ve got a big mouth.”,

Grandmothers house and Grandaddy’s folded flag,

Momma’s scrubs and Daddy’s tags,

I am from Maudie Ree and Sargent Pearl.

By oRIDGEinal

Remy Garguilo is the Sponsor of the oRIDGEinal literary magazine at Fossil Ridge High School.