Abstract
A Boil You Can’t Stir Down James B. Goode (bio) She leaned over Hot, sticky, steam . . . Purple stains on her worn apron– A tag of moist hair Made a comma on her reddened cheek. “You have to bring it to a boil You can’t stir down,” she said, As she spun the long spoon Around the blackberry pot Like Mom did when the gravy was about to burn. I wiped the hot jelly jars, Drank her sweet, southern tea And remembered Our first date . . . Her perfume, The blue shirt-waist dress, A dried flower corsage, An electric smile, And Her hair, Black as the core Of any stormy night. And a boil I couldn’t stir down. [End Page 71] James B. Goode James B. Goode, the featured author for our Spring 2003 issue, grew up in Harlan County, Kentucky, in a coal-mining family and taught for many years at Southeast Community College where he founded their Appalachian Center. He now teaches at Bluegrass Community College and lives in Lexington, Kentucky. He is the author of several books of poetry and prose. Copyright © 2009 Berea College
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
