The highest northwest corner of the city
pops in the setting sun
at the end of a cold day
before the night of the
freeze.
Simple tints and hues
of terra cotta rooftops
become brilliant
as the temperature drops
and the air clears.
The deep dirt red of earth baked,
the color of the dust on the feet
of every Piedmont farmer,
is high over head against azure.
Earth and sky
have never been closer.