Welcome to Millknock!
Travel south of town down a two-lane country road lined to the edge of black asphalt
with white and red oaks, Virginia pine and dogwood.
October is a rustling canopy of translucent gold,
in May redbud blossoms dust the road,
and deep July green gives the illusion of coolness.
Leave the pavement for an even narrower wooded drive,
continue this journey over Black Branch Creek
(named for those who once worked this soil for landowners or the dark water slipping below?)
for a mile and hope you don’t meet a vehicle coming the other way.
Woods open up to sky and field, past fencerows and grazing sheep.
A cedar slat fence frames the yard
with bent twig trellises covered in clematis, roses, or honeysuckle.
Tall cedar saplings bend into arches
over gardens and the walkway to the house.
A curious face peers out from the window, a Collie. 
