Hank Williams never did die

Thinking about the title of the Broadway play: "Joe Turner Come and Gone," these are notes for a novel called "Hank Williams never died." Don't ask. I have no idea where this leads...

He's alive, ole Hank, every time somebody asks forgiveness for something he knows he's gonna do again.

He's alive every time somebody who doesn't believe in god says a prayer in a pinch.

He's alive every time somebody sits in a waiting room tapping his foot to a song he can't hear.

He's alive every time a train blows through a small town past the grain elevator.

He's alive every time somebody settles into the front seat of an old Caddy, whether it runs or not.

He's alive every time somebody says to somebody, 'You don't look like you're eatin' right.'

He's alive every time somebody looks at a bottle of pills and says, 'I know this is gonna be the death of me...'

He's alive every time anybody says, 'This is gonna be the death of me' no matter what it is he's thinking about.

He's alive any time anybody notices his hand shaking more than it used to.

He's alive every time anybody puts a Rev. Robert Wilkins record on a record player and lowers the needle.

He's alive any time you're so damned glad to feel the heat of the sun on your back.

He's alive every time you pull your ball cap down over your eyes because you don't want people to see what's on your mind.

He's alive every time a writer searches for words to describe something he's not sure he wants other people to know about.

He's alive every time a singer makes you nod your head, 'Yes.'

He's alive any time you check for the mail three times a day but hope nothing's in the box.

He's alive every time you tremble when you open the letter.

He's alive when the phone rings and you think it's alive and up to no good.

He's alive every time a man hurries home but worries about what he'll find when he gets there.

He's alive every time a man or a woman goes out at night searching for somebody who should be at home eating supper.

He's alive every time somebody finally figures out proof-positive what's been going on.

He's alive every time a blue sky makes you wish for clouds and rain.

He's alive every time you do your job even though you want to be anyplace else in the world.

--Lofflin