Phil Garvey’s Home? It’s simple.
Just follow the road
to the bend in the river
and take the left fork.
Stay close to the river
'til you come to where the dam
used to be.
We tore it down in ’49.
It ruined the fishing upstream.
Take Herkimer Road.
I forget what the sign says now,
but everyone still calls it the Herkimer Road.
Drive past where the “dry” elm tree stood
before the disease hit.
My Grandma planted it
when she was president of the WCTU.
She was mighty proud of that tree.
Held a picnic with lemonade every summer
in the shade of that old tree.
I kinda miss it, but I don’t miss Prohibition none.
When you pass the Hurley House, turn right.
The Freemans live there now.
They’re from Massachusetts (*spit*).
Before them was the Weavers.
I forget who all lived there before them,
but you know, it’s still the Hurley House.
After you get over the big hump, watch out for deer.
It’s rut time, you know, and they get spooked
by any car with “foreign” plates.
Watch for the old fire road on the right.
Turn in and keep going until you’re sure
you took the wrong turn.
Then you’ll see it:
Old Man Garvey’s double wide.
Oh, it’s the young Phil Garvey you’re looking for.
Hell, why didn’t you say so in the first place?
OK, it’s simple.
Just follow the road
to the bend in the river
and take the right fork….


© by Bill Batcher.
Used with the author’s permission.