Christmas Break in Georgia

Dec. 25, 2012

Christmas Break in Georgia

Went down to Georgia,
     wrapped in Christmas trappings
          and steel
          and fiberglass wings.
Slipped into Atlanta,
     the sighing city,
          a rainy day in the wet South,
and I rode down the long highway,
     I Eighty Five,
tasting the pines
     along the side of the road.

Honeysuckle,
     violet-green needles
          caught in the sunset.

I want to paint this picture of my home
     to share with you,
     to share with you.
See the bark of my forest kingdom,
     Hear the echoing strings
          plucked from over the river,
     Taste the warm,
          Wet earth in your nostrils.
Peel off your coats.
Come run
     and get lost
          in our wood.