Half my life was wasted on

Gray cold winds on an acrid

coal stained limestone matrix.

I was an off scouring of a rust belt dungeon

I had only thoughts of

Sweet magnolias and the intoxication of orange blossom

aspirations

to sing siren songs and taunt my Yankee core.

The visions of luscious greens and royal palms

filled my long and bitter winter nights

‘Where you from?’

I asked in trepidation,

Her response resounded with those far off bells

of my every fantasy

Now, for these twenty five fulfilling years,

we walk together in warmth of summer

even when the pristine snow crunches under foot

my dreams came true in loving you my

lovely dixie dream.