I made it.
I’m here.
My inclination is satisfied.
I am welcomed by the fire ants
that now cloak the overgrown grass.
A smile greets me
from the daisies
planted by the Alabama sunshine itself.
A loved filled
“Welcome Back!”, is said
to me from far beyond,
from the fresh, sweet corn
in the rear near my uncle’s old
property line.
A sharp wind suddenly,
steals my lungs true love
and I am carried deep
into a memory I had hoped to keep.
This land, hidden by the red-dirt
road in the backwoods of Bay Minette is
my safe haven
when the world has gone to hell.
“This is why I came”, I say
to myself  before leaving.
This is where I escape the world
and I am free to live in memories.

late  one November day
a dog eared page
from another  chapter
came alive
while crisp leaves  
swirled  and twirled
love
burst in
unannounced
so amazed
illuminated
fascinated
intrigued
complex
simple
the short list
fulfilled
can't catch my breath
afraid
brave
alive
pleased
impatient
out of my hands ,
into my  very core-
Welcome.