South Carolina morning, May 2016

Holiday visit to friend
Moncks Corners
Small place northwest
Of Charlston.
Civil War memories
Of courage, waste.
City can’t shake it
Nor want to.
Childhood playground for
Poe before his horrors.


But back to the morning
Buddies Anthony and Jody
Told me to perch
In front lawn by
The one palm.
Neighbour’s rooster
Gave the get moving call.


Mockingbird would arrive
By similar timeliness.
The Master of imitations.
Other birds, farm animals
Gulls, bells, machines.
Lawnmower, for one.
Hard to believe.

The bird has a charmed life
Not to be hurt or killed.
So said Gregory Peck to
His spirited daughter
In that movie.