Leaving the Farm

10/02/2013 Originally published at “Old Ones Dream” October 2, 2013, and as piece of the book “Magnolia Elegy: Place In the Edisto Fork” published April 14, 2022.

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Leaving the Farm

Mother Earth

     to ashes held for years on a mantle place

          but not the first hostage period 

     at the foot of the ancient Scarp

Just finally freed

     scattered on the Little River

     at Corn Mill Shoals 

          spin dancing with the keeper

          broken by the dart of a Brookie 

     like the butterfly in Brazil 

          shot the chute then

     Bridal Veil Falls 

          High Falls

               Triple Falls 

                    Hooker Falls

Confluence with the French Broad, Tennessee, Ohio

     to join with Father

          of Waters 

     then to Mother of all Life

She always loved the sea.