From the beginning of one “Welcome to Fairmount” sign
To the end of the other-
My feet have tread through this city now for 20 years.
TJ’s gas station where one can get gas on credit
It has always been my favorite place for sunflower seeds and a Mountain Dew.
And the old movie gallery that has since been torn down.
I remember walking aimlessly through the aisles,
Looking for the perfect movie.
Usually stopping at PeeWee Herman’s poster and laughing.
KC’s corner which is packed from wall to wall during lunch,
Since it is the only restaurant in town besides the new Subway.
Going there after school with mom
For an ice cream sundae in the air conditioning.
The tiny, local pharmacy with the flashing sign
And the best biscuits you can find.
The square in the middle of town with the white gazebo
And the American flag waving to every passerby.
There are car shows and fundraisers,
High school homecoming parades and bonfires-
Easter egg hunts and Christmas floats.
Fourth-of-July in the park
And a burnt bottom from sliding down the metal slide in July.
A cemetery where my best friend rests
And another where my great grandparents are.
There are more churches and no bars
And everybody wears their best on Sunday.
Vacation Bible School is the crux of summer,
Throwing water balloons and making beaded jewelry in art.
Baseball tournaments in the mud
And 2 laps around the playground to make a mile.
The elementary school which I attended is parked away in the trees
The memories of running in the old, wooden gym with friends
And singing songs in the Music Room.
The same school in which my parents went to high school
And my grandparents
Home of the Bulldogs.
Railroad tracks with trains chugging through the night
Not paying attention to the small town they are going through.
Every where you turn, there is a policeman
Because their jurisdiction is so small.
Saying “hi” and tipping their hats.
Odds are in there is a traffic jam
It is a John Deere tractor driven by an old farmer
With a chew of tobacco pressed against his cheek.
One grocery store that is outdated sits in town,
The building stands crooked and the floors are unbalanced.
I recall walking through those cold freezer aisles
Barefoot, popsicle grin, and smiling.
Waiting for Granny to catch me sneaking sweets into the buggy.
Newspapers were 50cents
And sometimes mama would let me put the change in the machine –
Front page news involving the nearest town aside from us.
Christmas lights align the lampposts year-round
And dogs without an owner roam the sidewalks.
Parents allow their children to play outside unsupervised
Because everybody knows everybody
And chances are you will see them that night for supper.
There is not a stop light or an interstate nearby-
Just one two lane highway right through the middle
With plenty of offroads, curvy and winding
Through the mountains.
A funeral home,
A library,
A few small shops.
Home.
