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One grocery store that is outdated sits in town,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.