Song of the Wolf

wanted to be a blues singer like my hero, Howling Wolf

Song of the Wolf
 

39 lines

Growing up in Berkeley,
I had delusions—
thought I might be
a musician,
a blues/funk singer.

The problem was,
I couldn’t really sing,
and my piano hands
never learned
to tell the truth.

Went to Oberlin,
lasted one semester.

Did a one-night,
impromptu blues set—
So bad, it hurt everyone’s ears.
I never tried again,

Oh well.

My voice, such as it was,
leaned hard
on the Wolf—

Howlin’ Wolf.
That gravel growl,
that thunder throat,
born of Delta dirt
and Chicago wire.

He sang the blues
like survival,
not style—

my favorite voice
to chase.

I was a young
white boy
learning to hear
The blues and funk too..

Then funk came along—
bright horns, great bass lines

“Play that Funky music
White Boy!
I never made it
End of the Story.

Song of The Wolf"

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H