Poetry on the Rocks for Lonely Hearts Submissions from Elizabeth Cusack (inspired by Bob Dylan)

Ozark Girl

Well, she’s a rebel
You may remember 
She’s the little Ozark girl
She never took a prisoner
Not even for you.

The problem was
She fell so hard
She stayed for a pirate like you
She’d been better off 
Sleeping with a mule.

A whole lot of people
Want to blow her up
Get you a girl that’s new
But this world is trash
And I think you’ll pass.

She settled Appalachia
I’m sorry that upset you
She left her family behind
Then came to San Francisco
Just to be robbed blind.

The water’s still running
For the little Ozark girl
She thanks heaven for that
But she never forgets why
She came to this desert to die

Jet Blue

I know what you’re thinking
She’s drinking again
Little girl, little girl
Why are you so blue.

Be careful where you go now
And barricade your door
Lose that fucking wifi
You’ll lose the fucking war.

Come on little honey
I’ll put you up in bed
I’ll read another story
Running through your head.

I’ll take you down easy
And I’ll tell you no lies
I’ll sing a song and make it long
All about the great beyond.

It’s love every day, honey
With you by my side
And it’s love that blinds me
When I spin and I dive.

Sleeping with the devil
Barricade your door
Remember what happened
Just the night before.

Is there something, honey
You still want to say
Erase that old name, honey
We’re starting a new page.

One Way/Jimmy Reed (an homage to Jimmy Reed)

There is only one way it will end
With a bullet to the head
Jimmy had many issues
But he had the rocking blues.

I’m up all night again and again
Fighting angels just for you
It will be the death of me
I’ve got the rocking blues.

Jimmy Reed had fits
They gave him alcohol 
His wife softly whispered lines
He recorded them for you all.

He jump-started Elvis
And Carl Perkins too
Got a harp from a marine band
He learned to rock the blues.

Now the Poet Laureate
Leads with Jimmy’s tunes
From the cotton lands
Of the delta Mississippi blues.

From the assembly line in Chicago
To the death rows in LA
We play Jimmy and we play Dylan
And we rock the Mississippi way.

I Sought

I sought and I found
Blood on the tracks in moon light
I sought and I found
A footpath in the moon light
You were waiting for me there.



Slay

There are angels out there
And you will be fine
They sent me here
But never mind
I do not fit into that pool of time
They drew straws to see
Just who was at fault
And then they sent me back.

I Suggest

I suggest you lose your phone
And then you lose your glass
And then you may begin 
To see just who is the ass.

It’s not that I’m ungrateful
I praise you everyday
But, Jesus Christ
What happened to your way?

There is no chance of sleep tonight
Judge me as you may
I am here to pick up the pieces
And then be on my way.

I Grieved


I grieved — 
I am not sorry I forgot how to pretend it wasn’t happening 
And slather on another anniversary.

All the frivolity got to me —
Was there a plane to eternity?
The joker was working on his alibi as I prepared to leave.

It was always time to leave.


Dylan Poetry Showcase from Elizabeth Cusack

Bio: Elizabeth Cusack is a recovering actress. Ever since playing Rhoda Penmark in “The Bad Seed” as a child, deservedly, she has endeavoured to keep up her end of the bargain. Elizabeth has been blessed with the best of teachers over the years, mostly from the school of hard knocks. She has championed and performed in fringe theatre in America. Elizabeth edits her favourite poet while not otherwise inspired by her muse to write.