It is the same color as the awnings
on the town's two funeral homes
the same color as the shutters
of the courthouse, downtown.

This sameness, this replication is common
down here.

The South embraces tradition; this sort of symmetry

The same dark green paint
the same songs on Sunday morning
the same menu at the sea food buffet on Friday nights

The ivy growing around my uncle's house
will turn dark brown by the end of December
only to make a gradual return in April
when schoolkids will ride their bikes 'till dark
and city workers get up early
painting all of the park's benches
dark forest green