In reverse, upstream
V.
starting with
the Southern edges
tinged with drawl
hot as Atlanta in July, but flatter
hills rolling, not steep
IV.
The river starts to get narrow
riverbank goes from marsh, to pastures to cliffs
tall grey statues on either side of a slower body of water
III.
Fall comes sooner, faded yellow and orange first, then
light brown around the edges
frost arrives, unexpected
before the last September Sunday
II.
November is damp and cold
a coat on and jeans everday
if the wind blows, it is from the West
shooting across the Great Divide with menace
I.
Winter here is hard and dark
the sun does not so much rise as fades in
tired light bulb muted by layers of grey
night comes before 6 and woodsmoke coats everything