Out in the Sticks
(Not Far From Freeport)

He sang of walking with her
through a field of wildflowers
under the moonlight
out in the sticks
and how happy he’d be
to check her for ticks

I just had to smile —
how many times
had I used that same line?

You must have too
for then came the signs —
the cut bank of blocky yellow lime
basking in the sun
and after the bend
a long swath of willows
head high
young branches glowing