Ballad of Johnny Mesabi

 

July 20

 

…from the continuing

Ballad of Johnny Mesabi*

 

Johnny Mesabi child of ice

If he liked it once he did it twice

Knew if he exhaled he’d soon be old

Johnny Mesabi sucked in the cold

 

In the winter ya paid and paid hard

For summer escapes out of the yard

Deep in his head he always knew

Jumpin’ the fence’s the only thing to do

 

Blue lake pinewoods skate around the rink

Hollywood premier stars in mink

Back to the ore dump for a keg of beer

And on to Berkeley to tap a mystic seer

 

Johnny Mesabi was raised on The Range

Left twice to avoid being strange

When you leave people warn ya

“You’ll never stay in California”

 

But leave often enough and you will

Johnny did and he’s livin’ there still

You gotta settle where you feel strong

Then you can stay where you belong

 

Johnny Mesabi headed for the freeway

The Golden State gives ya the leeway

Disney Yosemite summer of love

Where the hawk flies the same sky’s the dove

 

Johnny engaged in the politics of hair

Taught in suburbs but couldn’t buy there

Started a family with less skill than luck

Planted rhymes so he wouldn’t get stuck

 

*a series from journals 2001-2005