Patricia Neely-Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia

BOOK AVAILABLE from: www.reeds.ms/books.asp
$15 or in stores at Reed's Gumtree Bookstore and Village Green Bookstore in Tupelo or Village Confections in Canton Square-Canton,MS

SOUTHERN LIFE
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickes, too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life, that I adore.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

SOUTHERN MAN
There's nothing like a Southern man,
He's a man that you should know;
He's one to whom you'll find no equal,
Anywhere you go.
He has a sweet, molasses talk
And a slow, smooth gliding walk.
He's got strong , firm hands that let you know,
Real work is nothing new;
He has no problem with the fact,
That he should provide for you.
There are certain kinds of values
This man is sure to hold
His love of home and family
Is sure to not grow cold.
He'll deeply love his mother
It's a bond that's always there
All throughout his life, this man
Will show her tender care.
He's one that you can count on,
To do the manly things;
He'll change the tire and check the oil,
And fix the back yard swing.
But underneath a tough exterior,
A gentle soul lies too;
He's one who'll rock the baby,
And even cook a meal for you,
On Sundays he'll sit beside you singing,
On the same church pew.
There's nothing like a Southern man,
He's a reare and special kind;
If you look forever anywhere,
He's the best you'll ever find.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey.

MISSISSIPPI MORNING
I love a Mississippi morning
On a summer's day;
Everything's so glorious,
In the most delightful way.
The sun is peaking upward
The earth begins to warm;
Magnificent works of nature,
Are simply just the norm.
There is a sense of wonderment
At how all things look so new;
The flowers glow with freshness,
From the past night's dew.
The beauty all around you,
Would take away your breath;
You'd feel you'd like to soak it in
Until there's nothing left.
There' s nothing like a Mississippi morning,
On a summer's day;
It's such a grand production,
It seems we all should pay.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

MISSISSIPPI MAN
I want to enjoy my Mississippi man
On a Mississippi day
Soaking up some Mississippi sun.
I love the way we do
Mississippi things
And have our Mississippi fun.
He makes me laugh
A Mississippi laugh
And smile
A Mississippi smile;
And, I guess, if he would ask me to,
I'd run
A Mississippi mile.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

IF MISSISSIPPI'S IN YOU
If Mississippi's in you,
It'll always be that way;
It matters not how far you go,
Or how long you stay.
If Mississippi's in you,
It always plays a part
In how you live and move and breathe,
And in every notion of the heart.
If Mississippi's in you,
It's in you through and through;
It's who you are and how you be,
And it's in everything you do.
If Mississippi's in you,
There is some special glow;
A different something down inside,
That all the homefolks know.
If Mississippi's in you,
It'll always be that way,
From the time you enter in the world,
Till in the grave you lay.
Every true Mississippin,
Can surely have it said;
"I'm Mississippi born,
I'm Mississippi bred,
And when I die,
I'll be Mississippi dead."
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey.

LET'S
Let's go for a ride in the countryside,
And make lots of stops along the way;
Let's soak in all the warm sunshine,
And create a perfect day.
Let's stop at someone's roadside stand,
And maybe buy some fruit;
Let's pretend it's some great find,
Just like a pirate's loot.
Let's go inside a country store,
And have some bologna cut;
Let's sit outside and eat our fare,
Like some treasure from King Tut.
Let's always enjoy life's simple things,
And to their full extent;
Let's always spend these kinds of times,
And make it our intent.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

REFLECTIONS OF A MISSISSIPPI MAGNOLIA
Available: www.reeds.ms/books.asp
$15