Carolina

All I am belongs to her.

I rise or fall, abated or accelerated, by the whims of her smile.

She has no need to impress,
I fall on bended knee to please her.

Before I was conceived, my love for her was true. I will love no other.

Sweet voices may call to me, entice my heart, but they are only hollow echoes, voices of monsters meant to draw me away.

Though demons mount their assault, I will not betray her.

Her sand and salt are as the blood that runs through my veins.

When she hurts, my body aches,
and her pains have been many.

My heart mourns in ghostly haunt, as the moss on her oaks memorialize many fallen sons.

O Carolina, how I long to be in your bosom again, to rest beneath your stars, as do my fathers.

Soon, my ancient love, you will call me home, and my spirit will fly to you one final time.

And once again, we will be united, I will be whole.