California Country

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

I was born in Santa Cruz, California, 
 "Surfer Dude" town, U.S.A.
 but they took me back to
Bakersfield, as a baby.

I was raised in a 
"Honky Tonkin Rockin" home. 
Mama's "Texas," Daddy's "Oklahoma."

Everyone had "Cowboy" names, 
like "Tumbleweed Turner."
 I cried, "I won't be country,"
"I won't!" 

 I kept my tiny transister radio 
under my pillow, 
as "The Beach Boys," 
"Jan & Dean," or "Lesley Gore," sang me to sleep.

 But then it happened, my "DNA",
 or should I say "501 Levi's" stomped in. 
I heard a song today that describes it perfectly.

"Twang"
 by "George Strait." 
"That foot stompin,' honky tonkin,'
 feelin' flowin' thru my veins,
 I need a little twang!

 Keepin' it real, 
I must say I LOVE Country music!