MEET MY MISSISSIPPI

William Faulkner’s Sanctuary

Eudora Welty’s home state

Elvis Presley’s birthplace

The bulk of the Natchez Trace;

Choctaw Nation native land

Rolling hills of the Chickasaw band

Sprawling beaches along the Gulf Coast shore

One blues man’s Crossroads and inspiration for more;

Like Albert, B.B., Bukka, Howlin’ Wolf,

Little Milton and Muddy Waters who came to the fore

There’s farm raised catfish, Delta tamales, seafood galore

And warm front porch welcomes with a wide open door

Creative muse for Barq’s, Stetson, Peavey, Viking

And Henson’s famous green frog

And where “the Southern Crosses the Yellow Dog”

An abundance of history, tradition and folklore.

With Ruins of Windsor, Vicksburg Battlefield

Emerald Mound and Pharr Mounds to explore

You’ll find an authentic Dentzel carousel merry-go-round

Where Jimmie Rodgers fathered a unique country sound.

She’s the place where Coca-Cola was bottled for the very first time

And Pine-Sol invented to combat dirt and grime

She’s a ride down the Mighty River on the American Queen

And some of the most beautiful countryside that you’ve ever seen.

She’s music and melodies and the mockingbird’s songs,

By valor and arms and faith ever strong;

She’s magnolias blooming around Jackson’s capitol dome

With the buzz of the honeybee

And sweet scent of the honeysuckle

That forever say “home.”

Since December 10, 1817

Our 20^th state

“Go Mississippi”

The Hospitality State

Roll on Mississippi

You’re a true state of grace.

Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Patricia Neely-Dorsey has been a contributor to Porchscene over the years, sharing her heart-felt poetry about the South and her home state of Mississippi. As an African-American, many might imagine Patricia to have mostly negative feelings about the state, but quite the opposite is true. Her message in her poetry and the talks she delivers focus on the positive, more upbeat aspects of the South — and in particular— Mississippi.

 A graduate of Boston University, Patricia says in her blog, “I have always considered myself a “Goodwill Ambassador” for Mississippi and the South. In college my nicknames were ‘Tupelo’ and ‘Mississippi.’ Whenever my friends saw me coming, they knew that there would be some type of discourse about Mississippi and the South soon to follow — hoping to clear up their many misconceptions and preconceived notions. Yes, we DO have shoes in Mississippi. We might not wear them all of the time … but we do have them! I believe that we can bridge many gaps of misunderstanding across regional, racial, cultural, generational and economic lines by simply telling/sharing our stories.“

The Ruins of Windsor

Based on her poem Meet My Mississippi, Patricia created an enchanting children’s book, which is beautifully illustrated by Brenda Ragsdale. The publication is not only a wonderful educational tool for school-aged children, but it delivers a delightful insight into the diverse historical landmarks of the state for potential tourists as well.

The Jim Henson Museum

Meet My Mississippi, along with other books by Patricia Neely-Dorsey, is available through her website, http://www.patricianeelydorsey.com and at www.amazon.com.