Miss Hospitality Reads "Meet My Mississippi" Poem to Legislators

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As a guest of Sen. Bob M. Dearing in the Mississippi State Senate Friday morning, Emma Grace McGrew, Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality, shared a poem entitled “Meet My Mississippi” by Patricia Neely-Dorsey.
The poem, which Dearing said, “we all hope is adopted as Mississippi’s State Poem,” covers several aspects of life in Mississippi – its literature, music, geography, history, folklore, traditions, home, river, countryside among many others.
Neely-Dorsey, who was born and raised in Tupelo, wrote the poem in 2013. She is author of two books of poetry, “Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems” and “My Magnolia Memories and Musings-In Poems.” Through her poems, Neely-Dorsey hopes to protect, preserve and promote the rich, cultural history and heritage of her state and region.
Because of her efforts as a writer, poet and motivational speaker in Mississippi, Neely-Dorsey was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the state by Governor Phil Bryant in 2015. As an additional honor, the legislature is considering her poem, “Meet my Mississippi,” as the official state poem. 

MEET MY MISSISSIPPI (By Patricia Neely-Dorsey)

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 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 20th state
“Go Mississippi”
The Hospitality State
Roll On Mississippi
You’re a true State of Grace.

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