Real Kentucky
If you came here looking for a real Kentuckian, you might have to get out of the city.
In the city they’ve flattened the mountains and covered up the creeks.
They’ve deforested the hollers and the plantations have expanded into stripmalls.
The real Kentuckians are hanging their lives off a building to collect a little bit of history before it’s ground into dust.
The Real Kentuckian has an arrowhead collection.
The Real Kentuckian can tell you three good stories involving critters.
There are some echoes here still, in the city.
Somewhere there are some wild things still growing, black raspberries, orange newts, back by the cold, sweet, mossy creek
cutting itself down a dark and misty mountain
14 thoughts on "Real Kentucky"
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I know a few good critter stories! They are inherited but still.
Great poem.
Ooo, inherited critter stories! Thats fun!
Wonderful glimpse of a changing Kentucky and what we lost in the process! Well done.
Yes, I love this! Thank you for shedding light on something not often considered. I will think of this poem every time someone from out of state asks me how I enjoy the Kentucky Derby. I’ve never been because I am a “real Kentuckian” from Appalachia!
So glad you feel me! I’ve never been to the Derby either. But I’ve caught a lot of snakes.
love “In the city they’ve flattened the mountains and covered up the creeks.” and now Lexington is trying to bring the river that brought settlers here in the first place back to the surface
They will try but I’m not sure they can. Perhaps something like a museum exhibit of a creek.
Yes, forgive me for using these words. I’m well aware that being an Eastern Kentuckian doesn’t make me qualified to speak for all. But I still like to nurse this idea, because it’s telling of me, and I find it ticklish. We have 4 or 5 distinct cultures here. There’s actually no such thing as a “Real” Kentuckian. Sometimes I’m feisty simply for fun, it’s my nature.
Thank you Sylvia. We continue to lose it with every old building torn down and every old horse farm turned box store/house
I feel like I need only say, spoken like a real Kentuckian, and leave it at that; however, I’d be embarrassed not to comment on how great this is. Some exquisite details, too: I especially love the hanging their lives off a building section. I see the mountain as much as the plundered structure. Incredible poem as always, and articulated in incredible fashion; I know this is something you’re particularly passionate about.
I wonder if you knew the particular “city” guy who reminds me of a “real” Kentuckian I was referencing with the building…lol. I thought of removing it but it felt too right so I’m glad you saw it as the mountain, an incredible and unintentional (the best!) detail.
Just noticed that I did not say thank you when I replied or tried to reply to your comments. Truly, I meant to, and it must have felt implied to me. I wilt in humidity and work outside these days. Thanks to each and everyone of you for reading and commenting. I know how much effort it can take! Also, positive feedback on my work, not gonna lie, it’s really helping me significantly, as much as the act of writing the poem. Knowing this I try to read as much of other people’s work as I can.
An authentic reply is a thank you in itself.
I adore this narrative of, by, for Kentucky!
Appreciate the justified criticism of modernization. Followed by the turn: the echoes of “Real Kentucky” with your rich language and visuals!