Iney's Adventure Poem by cheryl davis miller

In the foothills of North Carolina
sat a cabin a long time ago.
There lived a couple named Iney and Ben
for how long I really don't know.

The cabin of log sat flat on the ground
rustic they'd call it today.
I wondered how it survived termites and time
and hadn't caved in with decay.

Sat beneath a canopy of pine trees
which blocked the sun most of the day.
So the front yard was weeds and wild flowers
and that red Carolina clay.

Near by sat a barn with a buckled roof
shelter for the milk cow and hogs.
By the porch sat a cage for Whitey the skunk
amidst chickens and countless hound dogs.

They had lived off that land raised five sons
scratching out whatever they could.
Their only cash crop was tobacco
some eggs and a few cords of wood.

They cooked on a woodstove; used oil lamps
they never had electricity.
Played fiddles and banjos to entertain
enjoyed each other instead of T.V.

One day down the cow path [ they had no driveway]
came a salesman with a smiling face.
Greeted him out on the porch with sweet tea
asked, 'Sir what brings you to this place? '

I'm here with 'good news' said the stranger
and to bring you an opportunity.
I've brought you candy to sell in these parts
and you then share the profit with me.

He opened the box that he carried
it held candy of every kind.
Ben stood back thinking it over
but Iney had made up her mind.

'I'll sell that candy fer ya feller',
Iney spoke with a twinkle in her eye.
So Iney became 'The Candy Lady'
selling chocolate to all who passed by.

I lived up the mountain from Iney
when I heard of what she had to sell.
My brother and I became customers
we visited most days without fail.

We'd enjoy our purchase with Iney
she'd have one with each that she sold.
One month passed; the stranger returned
to collect his vast pot of gold.

Told Iney how much that she owed him.
Iney counted then counted again.
She had only one fourth of the tally
she questioned and looked up at Ben.

Ben smiled as he looked upon Iney
said 'You're wearing your profit, my dear.'
A drinker can't make AND sell whiskey
cause the outcome is perfectly clear.

He pulled out his wallet paid the stranger.
Said, 'Don't come back, this way again.'
That ended Iney's business adventure
and that was 'good news' to Ben.

some names changed to protect the living, [me]


c.d.m.4-28-10