Self Portrait

Jan. 2, of this year of hope,
2005. Sixty degrees in Memphis,
On the retreat that is my upstairs
Porch, me, and Lola barking
At first one runner, then another.
I'm drinking bourbon, 9:30
In the morning, I've recorded
That fact before, listening
To the CD Jeremy burned for me,
Big John, The Devil Went Down
To Georgia, stirring songs.
Inside, a telephone jangles.
Looking out over woods soaked
By a night of rain, and it
Still drizzling, I give a long wolf
Howl--now, turn to answer.