The following version of this poem was used to create this guide: Lewis, J. Patrick. “At the Crossroads, Highways 61 and 49.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/56364/at-the-crossroad-highways-61-and-49.

Note that all parenthetical citations refer to the line number from which the quotation is taken.

“At the Crossroads, Highways 61 and 49” is a lyric poem by American poet J. Patrick Lewis. Lewis served as America’s Children’s Poet Laureate, later renamed the Young People’s Poet Laureate, from 2011 until 2013. Although he is best known for his children’s poetry, his work has been enjoyed by readers of all ages. This poem first appeared in the volume Black Cat Bone, a poetic biography of 20th-century blues musician Robert Johnson. “Highways 61 and 49” refers to an intersection in Clarksdale, Mississippi, which was thought to be where the legendary blues player sold his soul in exchange for talent and fame.