West by South
Colette Tennant
for Martha
If life leaves me speechless for a while, no need to bring me flowers. Come with a basketful of sweet Southern names. Say Shenandoah, Ascension Parish, Tallahassee— sweet as the tears of my children. Say Roanoke, Manassas, Falls Church, Savannah—names strong as the hands of my ancestors. Chattanooga, Raleigh, Charlotte, Surry County— all graceful as starlight. Say Macon, Rappahannock, Cumberland, Atlanta— speak them softly, slowly, like a long farewell.