winters cold, burn the lungs and eyes,
flat earth, endless sky, howling wind.
look here to marvel at
the subtlety and violence of color,
the manic strength of storming wind,
the give and take of life, the
flat earth, endless sky, howling wind.
my Midwest.
land watered by sweat, blood,
and stubborn determination.
land of hard men and women,
flat earth, endless sky, howling wind.
forget monuments, signs, tours.
here, history is palpable, alive.
keeps rhythm to the great and terrible heart of
flat earth, endless sky, howling wind.
she sings and wails, and wails and sings.
calls me back to a home I left long ago.
my Midwest,
flat earth, endless sky, howling wind.
I hear you still. I know your claim.
I will bring them to you.
They will hear your songs and taste your dirt,
They will know and understand your
flat earth, endless sky, howling wind.
