Red Flag Raised
(after David Budbill)
Randall must be down on Pinhook Road,
today’s the day to cultivate his tobacco
and he’s probably in a small fret.
With Wendesday’s mailers & flyers
he’s must be hitting every house
from here to Pickway
When I catch the muffler of his jeep
rising up the hollow from Beerkey
I stand near the box to be ready…
wanna hear him say what he says:
where you’re at
is the most important place to be
9 thoughts on "Red Flag Raised"
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upon rereading this poem I wish (a la David Budbill) I had made it clear who it was about from the beginning with the title:
“Envoy to the Mailman”
Brings back memories.
lol: With Wendesday’s mailers & flyers
he’s must be hitting every house
from here to Pickway
Amen: where you’re at
is the most important place to be
I think anyone who has lived in rural America knows the red flag on the mailbox! Country all the way and loving it!
A pleasure to read, enjoy and connect with the story!
“mailers and flyers” and “red flag raised” already told us, Jim! Thanks for introducing me to a new poet. In your poem, I love the stillness and patience of the narrator waiting at the box ready to receive messages from the outside world.
i like this.
longing for the post.
esp. like ‘in a small fret’
Wonderful.!
fresh story telling! Thank you!
Love this country moment!