Janis Joplin is singing with Big Brother in the Panhandle and almost everybody is high and it is a pretty nice Sunday afternoon.

 

Joan Didion, Slouching Towards Bethlehem

 

 

It’s raining outside and Janis is missing

she pours Southern Comfort into a cup

she smiles

she speaks of ambition

it’s not about money, she says,

or position,

it’s for love, she says,

lots of love and Janis is broken

she pours Southern Comfort into the holes

but up on the stage

she is sharp-eyed and fearsome

like some great bird of prey

love she says

her song in their eyes

lots of love

it’s raining inside where Janis is broken

she pours Southern Comfort

and Janis smiles,

it's not about money, 

it's love and ambition,

and it burns and it's warm

where Janis is missing.