J.N.R Dutton (aka The Poet)

A Smile Through The Tears

Rodney was raised on the highway and in the jam joints

His daddy was a picker in a Southern band

He raised Rodney with a stern but loving hand

Taught him how to play guitar, and other skills that he’d take far and wide

On the day his daddy died, Rodney he let loose and cried, held on to that casket tight for a while

Then whispered as they finally laid it low

“I don’t know how I’ll let him go, daddy thank you for all that I know, and all the Love you gave”

as a smile found it’s way to his face

By: J.N.R Dutton

For Daddy

Ever since my childhood’s hour,

You stood toe to toe, with things I’ll never know, to keep me safe and I thank you for it

Thank you, is the best that I can muster, even though I think I owe you so much more.

Daddy you were one of my first heroes, you taught me what it was to be a man

I will never have it perfect, but even so,

I’ll keep in mind and hold tight to your example, and do the best I can

By: J.N.R Dutton

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Stevie was born, 1974,

in a cottage on Copperhead road

In late December before their final snow

that year

His daddy still remembers it so clear

The sparkle in his eye &

the sweet baby smile on his face

and a father’s heart swelling with pride

and oh how Stevie’s mama cried such happy tears

as she held him in a warm embrace

By: J.N.R Dutton

The Long Haul

She said:

“If you’re not in it for the long haul, don’t bother at all, because I don’t want to fall, just to end up in an abyss.

Call me a cynic, but I don’t want you if your heart’s not really into this, just had to tell you like it is”

By: J.N.R Dutton

Treasured Days

A little man gets so excited, says

“I’m hanging w/daddy today !!!”

It’s so great to see the innocence,

the happiness & light upon his face

as they laugh & play

These are precious, priceless,

beautiful treasured days

It won’t be long until they’re gone

measured only in Love,dreams,

& memories

Time’s always rushing on it’s way it seems

So, they’re living right in the moment,

holding it tight and that’s okay

By: J.N.R Dutton

Breathtaking

Listening to the whine of that old blues harp,

oh you play so well, my brother

So much heart & so much soul,

When one tune ends

I can’t wait for another

You make it sound so bittersweet

Get people rising to their feet

Dancing so happy & free

Your playing really is

breathtaking to me

By: J.N.R Dutton

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I like Cheese steak when I’m hungry

Coffee or tea when I’m dry

All the Love I could ever want

Makes my heart want to fly

By: J.N.R Dutton

Two Bean Enchiladas

Order me two bean enchiladas,

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan

w/delicious cheese,

all melted, warm, & gooey

& sweet tea in a can

By: J.N.R Dutton

Heroes To Me

I’ve seen tear stains on the faces

of broken souls,

I’ve seen those whose worlds

have been utterly razed,

but who hold on, and hold out,

for sweet better days

They forever are heroes to me,

& I think anyone could agree

By: J.N.R Dutton

Old Mac

Old Mac, old buddy, you’re looking quite gray

I remember the red hair you had back in the day

It really stood out, looked like

a hot raging flame

but beyond that, you stood out

for so many other things

like the poems and music you wrote

& how your fingers danced so beautifully

across a great multitude of guitar strings

& how you kept a firm grip on the sweet

down home way you were raised

By: J.N.R Dutton