Blackwater Swamp

 

Mike Daily

 

 

I remembered the Blackwater swamp land, I remembered and I smiled

Standing on its mushy banks when I was but a child

My buddies and I would play in the mud

And that Blackwater Swamp would seep into our blood

Mud to our ankles, wet to our knees

The frogs and the toads and the snakes in the trees

I can still smell that smell, the odor of death

It waters the eyes, it takes away breath

It was there that I met her, a girl of fifteen

Her hair was coal black, her eyes emerald green

She smelled of sweet lilac, she’d smile and I’d melt

But she didn’t feel the way that I felt

I tried to kiss her, she slapped my face

I left the swamp, to my buddies I paced

They were much older and they’d understand

And tell me that I’m on my way to a man

But they simply laughed and called me a child

I inwardly cringed, but outwardly smiled

I’ll prove I’m a man, and I ain’t no kid

I met her again and that’s what I did

We met at the swamp, remember that smell

It’s a smell I remember and remember so well

 

When I left the swamp, I simply smiled

For I left the swamp no longer a child

And those emerald eyes and that coal black hair

Are part of the reason that smell’s in the air 

 

     Mike Dailey started writing poetry at 15 and is still writing in his late 70’s.  He has three published collections of poetry and another 13 collections waiting to be published.  His poetry has appeared in dozen of magazines and poetry websites as well as a handful of anthologies. Two of his poems have become songs with several others being considered by local artists.  He even wrote a series of short poems for a psychology’s coloring book for kids.  His poetry can be serious, topical, or very moving but he is known more for his rhythm and rhyme story-telling poetry with a twist of humor.  He is a poet in southeast North Carolina living near Sunset Beach with his wife of 53 years.  https://www.facebook.com/mike.dailey.948