If the Creek Don't Rise

by Leah Weiss

I thought we got married for a mighty reason. I thought I was special to him. I musta made it all up, cause none of it’s true.

They conveniently ignore the fact that neither God nor the law gives husbands unqualified dominion over their wives.

In the last decade, two presidents turned the spotlight on the plight of these forgotten people. Phrases such as retarded frontier and hillbillies stymie understanding. Disturbing photos of emaciated people, dismal data on teen pregnancies, incest, and genetic deficiencies point to desperate needs in Appalachia. Humanitarians want to save these scraps of Scotch Irish.

My initial expectation remains simple: pique their curiosity. Once joy is instilled, we can roll up our sleeves and go to work.