Red Dirt Woman
Foot in the sea
hands in the ground
nose to the grindstone
just out to make the house
more of a home
for you and her own
she’s your red dirt woman.
She’ll break her young back
but you know she’ll be back
workin’ the damn crazed minimum wage
through all kinds of Maritime weather
or behind that thankless counter
during the day and overtime at night
no one said this wrong ever makes right
but making a living is never making a killing
or having the easy life
not for a red dirt woman.
Her middle age came
when the middle class left
but the red dirt woman
smiles no less
hard work’s been the way
and it is to this day
there’s food on the table
and the sheriff’s away
from the door
of the red dirt woman.
If truth be told
the only true glamour
her old eyes had ever known
were the smiles on the faces
in the house she made a home
but it was real and it was enough for her
she’s the salt of the earth
she’s the red dirt woman.
Be proud of her
you see her shine
all of the time
in your mother, sister,
mirror, aunt, niece, daughter,
friend, partner or lover
she’s your red dirt woman.
Be proud of her
before erosion of age
says it is too late for you
with the red dirt woman.
