Louisiana Growing Up

Fantastic cotton clouds of blue and white, The edges of surroundings shimmer soft. Sun filters through my skin, runs in my veins. In every breath I take the tang of pine Commingles with the spice of juniper, The scent of honeysuckle on my tongue. Cicadas stridulating all around Are chased by the skree, skree of mockingbirds, And somewhere not far off a mower drones. From my front porch I look across the lawn. Splashes of azalea break the green, And shiny two-leaved ivy forms a bed. There, dominating all, the old oak tree Stands in the very middle with its swing. I’ll never see that tree with adult eyes, But in my memory it’s standing still With all the feelings, sights, tastes, sounds and smells That form the texture of my childhood.