y’all go on, chase that neon.
i know it’s irresistible.
the buzzing of busy streets
instead of the biting mosquitoes.
the thought of restaurants open
way past supper time
and not a cooker of soup beans
or a pone of cornbread on the menu.
the ambient glow of life in town

draws country kids like moths
to Mamaw’s porch light.
it’s too tempting to flit away
from the familiar.
so spread your wings and go on.
i’ll wait right here at the end of the gravel
holding down the homestead
and swatting off bloodsuckers.