They Were Here

Driving down Wesley Russell road in Farmerville.

Dirt roads meander, memories form –

sweet blackberries, persimmons, figs, dandelion necklaces.

I remember asking Biggy what happened to my pet chicken

as we dined on crisp drumsticks for lunch and dumplings

for dinner. Peanut butter or ice cream for dessert –

depending on if Uncle Shug wanted to take his red Pickup

down the road. He worked so hard. Loved so hard.

Elders forever touch souls, pave ways. Toil and persevere

for our fortune, burgeoning with pride. I know they look

down, delighting in progress. We stand on their shoulders.

They lifted us. Hydrangeas, well water, mud pies and

watermelon. Memories. Welded for eternity. We are them.