A Smile and a Drawl (for the beautiful city of Charleston, SC)

Charleston, South Carolina has a heartbeat all its own, 
     Steady and slow, 
The sound is St. Michael’s bell that has rung like clockwork 
     For three-hundred years, 
     Like an uncracked Liberty Bell 
          Through two wars, slavery and civil rights, 
And always it sings, “sweet freedom” as it tolls the hour 
Over cobblestone streets and tourists taking carriage rides. 

Couples still do their promenade on the Battery, 
First down from their homes and back 
     on Sundays after mandatory church, 
With sea spray splashing on white fancy frocks 
     and white planters’ suits, 
The sound of Palmetto branches rattling 
     In the sultry breeze, 
          barely audible between the roaring roll of waves. 

Rainbow Row, its softly rainbow colored houses 
     Turned sideways to the road 
     Each facing a garden with intricately designed wrought iron gates, 
     And walls of tabby, oyster shells 
          peeking out from accidental artistically placed patches. 

It’s a matter of pride that only a few blocks away 
Porgy met Bess and sang “Summertime” from a porch 
     less well kept but sideways to the main road. 
          It’s Charleston, after all. 
And there’s always ambiance, a smile and a drawl.

© 2008 C. Harter Amos