I heard the news today
that U.S. flags fly at half-mast
for Dolly Parton passed away
and I admit that in the past
I found her songs embarrassed me
D-I-V-O-R-C-E and Jolene
– Coat of Many Colours seemed
mawkish to my younger self
Country Music as a whole I deemed
outside my broad musical taste
but life rubbed off my sharp edges
and the spangled Queen of Country
serious, caring voice came to articulate
the various emotions whether
experienced or vicarious that make us
human, empathetic, emotional creatures
Dolly, for me, joined Dickens and Steinbeck
Vonnegut, Irving and Heller
Woody and Johnny
Billie, Bessie and Patsy
in weaving strands of social history
binding them with music from folk,
blues and bluegrass, Appalachian,
rock and pop – winning me over
whole-heartedly
– collaborators like Linda and Emmylou
blended their voices with Dolly’s
in sweetest harmony
so today I can but weep that the fate
that comes to all of us eventually
has placed another star
in the firmament…
© Andrew Wilson, 2026