Poems by Luther Jarman

POETRY, THE QUEEN OF ARTS

Poetry, Queen of Arts! Long ago you stole my heart. Poetry, you’re so good to me. It’s like heaven being with you. I love the sweet and beautiful things you do. I’m working like a busy bee trying to win your love for me. Poetry, you’re like fire burning in my bones. You’re my queen on the throne. I love you more than I love drugs. You’re medicine for my soul. To win your love is my greatest goal. Poetry, Queen of Arts, long ago you stole my heart.

Luther Jarman

BROKEN MAN

I lived to get high. I didn’t care if I lived or died. A fool on a mission of death, constantly destroying myself. I got “busted” and went to the “pen.” That’s where poetry became my friend. Poetry saved my life. Poetry became my mistress and my wife. Poetry helps me to fight the war raging within. This broken man made poetry his friend.

Luther Jarman

MINOR MIRACLE

I was in the workhouse in Cincinnati for running a red light with my caddy. I had a warrant so I had to go to jail. I was waiting for my mother to get me out on bail. The police was beating up this Hillbilly— they was beating him something silly. They told me they hated a nigger, but they couldn’t stand poor white trash. That’s what saved my ass.

Luther Jarman

ODE TO UNAPPRECIATED THINGS

To take a shower and have clean clothes to put on. To be able to go home. To sleep in a bed with clean sheets. And to never have to run the streets. To be greeted with kisses and hugs. To be free from alcohol and drugs. To be able to live without fear. And know that hope is always near. To know why you are here. It’s never too late to give thanks and appreciate.

Luther Jarman

THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY

Cool country southern summer nights, the coal stove burning, cooking fresh cornbread and collard greens. A beautiful melody playing in my head as I go out in the field picking beans. All day long I’m thinking of you.

Early in the morning the smell of fresh jowl bacon from a hog just killed. Eggs from a chicken coop just built. O, my God! How I love killing a hog!

These cool country southern summer nights, how I love making country love to you. After a long day’s work I’m glad I have energy to.

Luther Jarman

UNCONQUERABLE SOUL

To survive, to reach your goal You got to have an unconquerable soul.

You got to be strong and bold. You got to have an unconquerable soul.

Some people live in ivory towers playing with their toys and flowers. But when life knocks them on their ass they can’t last because they don’t have bounce-back power.

When you fall, you must rise. Keep your eyes on the prize.

You may get tired and old but in order to reach your goal

you got to have an unconquerable soul.

Luther Jarman