A Diorama of Alabama

Uncle Wayne's Jailor of Elmore's pokey.
Aunt Lou's a guard for Tutwiler prison.
First cousin Forrest G. Jones is a Smokie,
whose wife's on a (fill-in-the-blank) State Commission.

Grampa's a judge down in Tuscaloosa.
Grammy's a Halfway House volunteer.
Daddy's a deputy sheriff in Coosa.
Mama stays home, she ain't got no career.

Sister's a teacher in Magic City,
and she waits tables at the Steak & Ale.
Brother took bribes from the Ethics Committee,
and wound up in care of the Birmingham Jail.

Down in the valley, valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear some winds blow.
Dynasties know, here, that changes come slow.
Pork from the barrel's now served with Merlot.

I send Bubba e-mails. Daddy slips him a palm.
His address is BribesWork@Alabama.com

© Christy Armistead