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This is the South on a Summer Day

It was a low-down, dirty water, dusty kind of day,

That kind of morning where the dogs all settled under the porch by the fish camp on the lake,

Where the turtles sat on old logs short then rolled down into the cool water deep,

The pond so still you could see the cypress weep,

And the cottonmouth swam about the bank real slow looking for a place to rest and stay.

Everything was quiet and the air was real still,

When the cicada began to sing,

And an ole hound dog howled across the water as the church bells in town began to ring,

The wind then stirred, and the frogs joined the chorus as the crickets began to chirp,

The cattails cotton causing a flurry of white as a coolness settled to earth,

A distant rumble could be heard far off as the dark black clouds did gather and whirl,

And the scent of rain from the western winds brought a cool light breeze upon the world.

Now, this is the south on a summer day,

The kind of place where the dragonflies play,

A place where horseflies buzz around then leave,

And old men whittle while they sit each and every day,

And cold sweet tea sits upon a TV tray,

Where momma in her apron pinches butter beans while watching the children play.

This is the south on a summer day,

A place where nothing matters on this hot sunny day,

A place we love and speak of as we say,

A place called home

And you’re welcomed to stay.

Johnny Johnston
Johnny Johnstonhttp://www.blufengr-art.com/
An artist/writer as well as graduate of the University of South Carolina with degrees in journalism/20th Century American Literature, and retired senior executive of several international hotel/resort corporations, Johnny is the product of the south having been raised in the ever-changing transient lifestyle of a Carolina coastal resort. A point where he discovered, within his 300-year-old heritage and the world's dramatic social/cultural shifts during the late '60s to early 80’s an ambitious hunger and overwhelming curiosity to touch, see and become a participant in the virtually unlimited possibilities offered to those who wish for and seek life experiences. A journey which when hearing its details initially makes one a bit skeptical, questioning its validity as it is hard to imagine that incidents such as these may have crossed one man’s lifetime. This is the fodder required to step into zones exposing one's personal inner self, which many of his paintings and the words he writes do, openly. An ability to see and hear the tragic, beautiful, accomplished, exciting journey in a life free of inhibitions allowing others the opportunity to live vicariously and become, through his works, a part of its future. His larger works which have been featured in several Colorado and Fredericksburg Texas galleries and resorts have produced a number of collectors and fans. However, over the years, his paintings are mostly viewed by friends, enthusiastic new artist encountered on the streets or a small number of acquaintances he meets when dining in local cafés with his wife.

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