Norma
I’ve been lucky
Norma’s a good woman
ninety nine percent smooth sailing
for the most part
we had to talk things out
a few times
but nothing we didn’t laugh off
sooner than later
she’s an honest and kind soul
and I don’t know what I’d do without her
we’ve talked about it a few times
she said Harlan
I’m going first
because I don’t think I could take it
if you were gone
I said that’s funny
because I feel the same way
I want to go first
oh no she says me first
no me I say
there is no winning
I told her if she goes first
I might not be far behind
it happens that way sometimes
I don’t know what I’d feel
but I know I’ve been lucky
and if Norma goes
my luck goes with her
she says the same about me
I really got lucky with Norma
—Harlan
Some Say It’s Poetry
I get thoughts
and feelings
like most people do
I put ‘em down in words
and how it comes out
some say it’s poetry
that’s all I know
—Harlan