MaryAnn -

Thanks for the notice/reply.

Indeed, location is everything. My questionings

about the mistletoe and flies as posited in this poem may be essentially correct in my neck of the woods, but may be equally valid in the area where the poet lives. Small points to be sure, and ones, as I said, that I am willing to moot to the side for what those elements added to the poem as a whole.

Read an interesting bit of folk-etymology regarding "live oak" as opposed to just "oak" - damned if I can remember what the distinction was, will let you know if it comes to me.

Also among the thready-thrums of folk-etymology is the word-set, "deep south". Where in hell is this bit of geography anyway? Does it have a GPS/generic ZIP code, or is it merely a euphumistic way used by the rest of States of America as a way to look down their socio-political egos at the native citizens of that area? "deep south" - interesting mix of the sootable dynamic that keeps tradition between kettle and pot.

Gotta go.

CArpe Verve