The Sunday Poem: “That Southern Sound” by Anthony Ward

September 12th, 2026

The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.

Jerry Jazz Musician editor Joe Maita reads Anthony Ward’s poem at its conclusion.

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Paramount Records and the F. W. Boerner Company. Photographer uncredited and unknown/via Wikimedia Commons

That Southern Sound

That sound,
That south sound,
Because it’s a southern sound, see,
Comes from deep down in the southland,
Like a hobo on its heels
Traveling north to inhabit their souls,
Taking to wherever the road takes them,
No destination determined, just decided
On the spur of inspiration
To get along by moving on,
Trying to leave behind the past it carries
Slung over its shoulder,
Like a ghost that’s free from the restraints of the living
But is still drawn to them,
A suffusion of sunlight spreading across the sky
Imbuing a sentient warmth of sublimation
Across vinyl consciousness
Crackling like logs on a fire
Sending sparks into the breadth of night.

Listen to Jerry Jazz Musician editor Joe Maita read Anthony Ward’s poem

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Anthony Ward chooses to write because he has no choice. He writes to get rid of himself and lay his thoughts to rest. He derives most of his inspiration from listening to classical music and jazz since it is often the mood which inspires him. He has recently been published in Jerry Jazz Musician, Synchronized Chaos, Literary Yard, Mad Swirl, Shot Glass Journal and Ariel Chart.

Listen to the 1929 recording of Charley Patton performing his composition “Some of These Days I’ll Be Gone” [Virgin Music Group]