Southern children walk barefoot on gravel roads

Summer nights fall soft with ground fog.
Long hot days melting onto front porches
with our ice cream sandwiches.

Dogs, gone into the woods for the heat of the day,
Come home at dusk.
Looking for a pat on the head and a cool water bowl.

Southern children walk barefoot on gravel roads.
Because it’s what they’re used to doing;
‘cause they can.