LAST TRIP TO PENSACOLA

LAST TRIP TO PENSACOLA

we sit silent

in their long silver Lincoln all the

way from Eldorado

packed in

shoulder to shoulder

while Maw-maw reads

the signs:

BEN'S DONUTS 'N' COFFEE

LOUISIANA, THE PELICAN STATE

27 MILES TO NATCHEZ

Maw-maw

straddles the gulf

her legs wide

and each wave washing

half-way up

her white calves.

She used to be fat but lost

her girth and will tell you,

Doc Wilson said

I'm a prime candidate

for sugar diabetes

and just had to lose some

weight.

The sand is white the water

brilliant and I'm waist-deep

out beyond her

watching her bend

squint past the surface

following some treasure

forgetting that after each wave

comes another to slap her

legs

roll gravity against her.

She collects shells.

WELCOME TO THE MAGNOLIA STATE

HOMOCHITTO NATIONAL FOREST

GAS, FOOD, CIGARETTES

Now Pat, how much sugar's

in this corn bread?

You want to kill me?

Doc Wilson says

I've got to watch my diet.

Lyndal stop this car

and find me some fruit

or I'm gonna have another shake.

You all know I've been having this pain

right here in my neck

I did have this rash

all up and down my arm

but Mama used to tell

that urine cures the shingles

and wouldn't you know Mama was

right.

ENTERING THE HEART OF DIXIE

WILMER, 4 MILES

NIGHTCRAWLERS 4 - SALE

Maw-maw draws her arm

from the water

a bright rose shell the size

and shape

of a monkey's heart between

her fingers brings it to her face

just when the largest wave

darkens her light purple mumu

up to her hips

and the shell slips

from her hand

as she catches herself

with the other

Lyndal I've lost my shell.

I've lost it

Lyndal come help me find it.

WELCOME TO THE SUNSHINE STATE

On the beach

wrapped in her robe

under an umbrella

she mumbles, Lyndal

Lyndal

I'm thirsty

and Paw-paw hands her

from the ice chest an orange

soda.

I find a spot in the sand

near her

ask if she's seen any good shells.

You got a picture

of that girl?

Hum-m-m-m, she's got such

pretty blonde hair

straight teeth--

she's a Christian?

Later she says,

You got a picture

of that girl?

She studies it

lifts the

orange soda

to her lips

brings it

back down

adds,

You carry her back

a pretty shell

from here you hear?

She points at the gulf with the

picture.

You got to

find yourself the

prettiest

one

hold it down

with your toes till a big

wave comes along.

Let it pass let it pass

then grab that shell

'fore the next

one steals it

and I go straight out

to find my shell

because I know we won't be back here

again.