The old blues, piped on the radio

From Memphis, filters down to me –

I’m not high — like some face

Or photograph I galleried

Many months ago.  Big Mama

Thornton reaches out for me

With her sharp laughter tonight.

I have wandered far from home.

I want to smile, now — you know

I’ll send you my urgent SOS

2 or 3 minutes after shutdown

When the mainlines (you know) close.

[1972]