HAZEL

Ain't we two the kind of sinners 
That they sing of in the old time songs?
In those bloody-minded ballads, 
Tellin' tales about the bad men's wrongs...
Just as you destroyed your father, 
So a husband's life did I.

MAGGIE

Sure, he sat upon a rusted nail—
Took him half a year to die!

HAZEL

And who was it who placed it where he sat?

MAGGIE

Ooh!  I'd like to hear the song they'd make of that!

HAZEL

Listen to that tongue on her!  A fine lad like you ought to go where brave deeds is appreciated...

Come on along with me to my little log cabin, my boy.
It's just a mile or so up the old dirt road.
Got a big old woodpile, 
But no strong young back to split it.
Wouldn't take but a short while
With the powerful blows that you could hit it.
We'll make a cozy fire, and we'll probably get to gabbin', my boy,
Afore we hit the hay in my humble abode.
She's rough.
She's old.
But sure 'nough, she'll keep out the cold, my little cabin...
Come on along with me.

MAGGIE

 I'll tell you how it is at her little log cabin.

HAZEL

Now don't you pay her no mind, my boy.

MAGGIE

She got a roof that leaks and a swept dirt floor.

HAZEL

Ain't that the homiest kind, my boy?

MAGGIE

Bee's nest in the outhouse,
And the chamberpots a-brimmin'.
Chairs chewed by a field mouse,
And a hedge grown wild for lack of trimmin'.
She'll keep you up all night with her neverendin' blabbin'.

HAZEL

We two got plenty to talk about...

MAGGIE

And when you douse the light, she'll be startin' in to snore.

HAZEL

Bed's so durn comfy you'll pass right out.

MAGGIE

She'll saw them logs
So loud you'd think she'd wake up the hogs that's in the parlor.
Go on along—you'll see.

HAZEL

You heard her—come on along!

MAGGIE

Another thing that you ought to know about her cabin...

HAZEL

Come on along with me to my little log cabin, my boy.

MAGGIE

She's offered out that bed to every stranger come this way.

HAZEL

It's just a mile or so up the old dirt road.

BOTH

Or stay with her.
You'll soon be wishin' you were
Back in the place you're meant to be...

HAZEL

In my little log cabin...

MAGGIE

Right here...

BOTH

With me.


© 2009 by Peter Mills