France, Via Google Earth

The blue marble begins to turn.

Now faster, then settles over Europe,

Its Iberian peninsula, its Italian boot, its France in the center.

I can see Belgium, Germany. 
     I can see England, and Ireland, and

When I click on France itself,

I zoom in, then pause--

Then click again on a random spot in the Massif Central, and

Now I can see Avignon and Salon and St. Etienne.

Now I can re-member the train ride through the Vaucluse, and

The fruit trees—peach, cherry, pear—blooming,

Blooming kilometer after kilometer, and

I come to rest in the orchasrds between Avignon

And Marseille. 

--February 14, 2013