View From Max Patch, North Carolina – by Jeff Pitman  (Prints available here)

‎Ken’s post about Omie’s surviving children gave rise to something in me that popped out as this little poem.  Nothing about what they must have gone through made me want to sing.

I had no idea historically of their ages or birth order.  But, for some reason I heard Nancy as a younger girl (turns out she was 7 when ‘Omie was killed), and Henry as a youth in his early twenties.  I heard each speaking to someone and recorded the conversation.  Then I did the biological math (Omie was likely eighteen or nineteen when she was murdered) and placed it all in time.  Happy to talk about it more if anyone has a question, but enough for now.

No Ballad for Nancy and Henry

“Nancy – the next day”

Mama can’t dress up
but she holds herself like a queen
when she goes to see him.

Last time there were more stains-
killed a chicken for supper
and ate well, she said.

She was good for half a biscuit,
like she always is
when she gets home.

“Henry – 1828”

I went to Cornersville
and kissed a girl awhile-
I see her moving now, everywhere.

She’s got nothin’. But now I been hanging
’round a rich girl’s yard.
Oh that flower smells sweet!

Anyway, I said goodbye to Mama
‘fore she left-
didn’t know where she was going.