The Magnolia

Moonlight flower, ivory white skin of the South,
Sugarcane rivers and wrap around porches, cotton
Curtains blowing slowly in the breeze
Rocking chairs and iced tea, or spring
Water thick on the tongue, petals
When they fall, once upon a time
Civil War red as seeds in a cone.
Old Scooter the house cat and Spook,
Puppy in the backyard.
At the Big House, aunts and uncles adrift
In the halls,
Horses, goats, and Moo in the pasture.
Still Gertrude and roosters in the coop.
Dan’s store on the corner, closed. West
Spring’s is the home of my brother-in-law’s.
Squirrel guns and shotguns in wood and rides in
A Model T, sassafras , and endless memories.
Churches and parades and Fourth of July
Schoolhouse and Boy Scouts and softball field.