smoke crossing

 Smoke crossing

John Clare Stokes

The smoke was in no particular haste

wafting low and hazily across the way

I was in no particular hurry

So I waited as it made its way toward 

Olustee

I thought perhaps I’d follow his trail

see from where he was dwelling

perhaps the embers could yet be stoked

and we could again visit with the smoke

But the boys were now grown and gone

Just this old man in piney woods alone

No, don’t follow that trail down to the shore

Let it go, let it go, before it begins to whirl.