E.L. Blizzard

For Elvis, Twenty Songs

“Doncha’ think it’s time?” this brown-eyed handsome man breathes low and slow through phone ether. Grinding 500 miles of dust under his wheels, he pulls in late to inhale me. “Baby, what you want me to do?” “Baby, let’s play house.” He knows just what I need. He’s catchin’ on fast. Slot machines ding 7s between our skins as our brains croon “I Got Lucky.” With the eyes of Texas on each of my freckles, I got my mojo working and it’s trouble, double trouble.

early morning rain
this anyplace
is paradise

On a hike, his hand in mine, we lie in a field where the grass won’t pay no mind. We flip, flop, and fly. Tapping my barefoot ballad along his thighs, I witness the blue moon of Kentucky slowly fading. I wonder, I wonder, I wonder.

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Note: As indicated in its title, this haibun embeds the names of multiple songs recorded by Elvis Presley. To see a list of close to 800 of Presley’s recorded songs during his 34-year career—and locate the 20 used in the haibun—click here. 

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About the Author

 E. L. Blizzard writes in the U.S. South (Tennessee at the moment). She is particularly obsessed with the haibun form, and her work can be found here, there, and yonder. A bit of her work is anthologized and she’s been nominated for a Pushcart. She loves reading, writing, kind people, rivers, and shooting pool.

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