view from Heaven, maybe
dotted America
the South measeled,
poxed

Virginia to Texas
road trip
through blood counties
how did I pass
without knowing?

branches of trees
should bow low
under a great
weight of innocence

sliding through
on a white skin
in and out of diners,
gas stations
“You have a nice day”

they all said
“Have a nice day”

# # #

Keith Welch lives in Bloomington, Indiana. He works in the Herman B Wells library of Indiana University

Photo credit: Pavlofox