As Fast as Sin, a Poem of the South

Uncle Buddy sure could run, run as fast
as sin, as fast as those lawmen. He ran
right through Grandpa's yard, back
when Grandpa had a first name and thirsty folk
collected potato skins, stewin' by the pale moon
***

shine. Uncle Buddy ran by, as fast as the wind,
ran from dogs and cars to meet his lady
friend, drinkin' pal. Ol' girl, ugly as sin, knocked
the gun from a greedy teacher-man, bounty in hand.
"Run away," Buddy said, forcing a hollow, metal
***

kiss. Uncle Buddy had sung folk with a Haggard
man in a barred pig pen, didn't want to go back
again. "Run away and say your eyes don't see
no Buddy here." Please don't spit, don't
curse; brains for bullets, the deal went sour.
***

Buddy's 'tale' had touched that e'lectric
chair, sponge wet and ready. Thank God, the court
heard the white phone ringing and forgot
the switch. Thank a rich cousin for the means
to call in a favor from a dirty politician or two.
***

Same ol' killer, running again but without the law
men or the whiskey gal. Buddy's running to God,
tripping over church pews, offering the plate guilty
dimes. Uncle Buddy, as fast as sin, kept on running
to God and away from those greedy preacher men.