Walking in Memphis

“Then I'm walking in Memphis

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?” (Mark Cohn)

The Doctor spent a lot of time walking in Memphis, hanging out with some cool cats, a few hound dogs, and several ghosts. The sun was shining but the mood was dark. It is no surprise that the Blues dominate the music scene in this city. Elvis Presley may only have lived on this earth for 42 years, but he has been carrying this city for far, far longer. Elvis Presley Blvd, Elvis Souvenirs, Jailhouse rock blaring from speakers along Beale street. 

I had quite a few chats with the King. He likes to wander Graceland at night, and I am nocturnal myself. Elvis seemed a happy spirit. He just can’t let go because he has too much fun seeing all his fans continue to visit. Elvis is more of a dog lover. Hey, no one is perfect. 

Depending on who you ask, Memphis is the country’s logistic hub with FedEX as the largest employer, or it is Graceland and Elvis, Beale street and birth of the blues, or, it is the city that killed Martin Luther King, Jr. Of course, it is all of these. That is why so many ghosts still walk the city, and why Dr. Picasso spent so much time with them. They each have their reasons, and will someday rest. Memphis has the largest African American Population in Tennessee. This led to many early Black pioneers; lawyers, professors, business people, all reaching success in the segregated south. Then there are the musicians, W.C. Handy who birthed the Blues and BB King who carried on. Most of them are still waiting and watching for Martin Luther King’s dream to be fulfilled. Cats have nine lives, so maybe Dr. P will get to see that too.