It’s not Mesopotamia, but it is a land between two rivers.
Years ago, I heard it called the “Bread-Basket of America”
and even the “Bread-Basket of the world”.
Iowa is a place of ever changing ... and ever changeable ... weather.
It seems to rain more nowadays,
and our 500 year floods have become 15 year floods.
Much is different ... much is still the same ...
but for those of us who live here, Iowa is home.
Intrepid pioneers in conestoga wagons, creeping slowly across America,
were sometimes struck by Iowa's rolling, green hills,
and verdant flowering prairies.
Many a stout young pioneer chose to stop here with his buxom wife
and clamoring brood of children,
to make a home where no more buffalo roamed,
but the wildflowers in springtime were gay.
It was a land of rich browns and richer greens,
with fertile and virgin prairies and ever-changing winds:
warm in the spring, hot and dry in the summer, and biting and fierce
as October waned into winter.
The mighty Mississippi cut it off from the burgeoning cities of the East,
and its people developed their own culture and spread out quickly
till they stood to see the sunset's brilliant colors flickering
in iridescent rainbows on the choppy waters of the Missouri.
The 29th state to join the Union, Iowa stood as a proud bulwark
against the slave-holding tendencies of its neighbor to the South.
Its people were hardy and independent,
and strongly believed that all men were, indeed,
created equal; and entitled to be free.
No one can foresee the future, but Iowans will hold their heads high
and march boldly to meet it, whatever it might bring.
Author notes
2009 is the 163rd Anniversary of Iowa's statehood, so this one is for Iowa.
I suppose it depends on what you call frontier, but in its day, Iowa was certainly the Western frontier of the slowly expanding United States of America. Even today, most of Iowa's towns are little more than overgrown cow towns. Lots of people still wear stetson hats out towards Nebraska, and cowboy boots.
A contest entry
- The American Dream by Allyson.Lashae..
1000 points, ended August 3, 6 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - #185 for Winklings & all friends of Winklers by Lyndon.
2100 points, ended October 11, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think?
Comments
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Your write was very informative, rich with detail and full of the obvious pride you take in your roots. I'm not sure you are a native of Iowa but it sure sounds as if you are. I enjoyed reading your poem and came away with more knowledge which is always good.
Thank you for entering and best of luck in the contest.
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Yes ...
I was born in Keokuk, and I've lived in Iowa for most of the last 64 years.
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by.
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Your description of Iowa has me yearning for a prairie home. It seems as if it is a glorious place.
Tell me, is there a symphony orchestra?
This is a fine discourse on your home state of which you're proud and which you clearly love.
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I am indeed sad to have missed the contest into which you entered this little gem, but since you didn't win I should be grateful I suppose - my poem would have found as little favour, I fear. We great poets cast our lovely efforts before swine.
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Thanks for the kind words.
But now I'm curious. How in the world did you stumble across my poem? Hardly anyone reads my poems nowadays, so I'm amazed.
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You are on my faves list - I saw you were online - so bingo. You could always replay the compliment.
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Excellent
This is a very well crafted write showing the glory of Iowa and the reason you love it so much. I feel the same about the state of Tennessee,no place like it.
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Incredible write, I too know the Iowa landscape, I grew up there, and Loved every minute of it. Yes we had our floods, however, It was worth it! Iowa is an awesome place for Kids, I have so many happy memories of it. Wonerful write, and you can tell how much you love your home. Thank you for a view into your world!
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Excellent -- informative
I am so thankful that the first political caucus is held in Iowa -- starts things off with smart people making a difference.
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This is awesome! Im from Iowa actually so this was like WOW! Great job! This was amazing! Im so glad you entered! Good luck in the contest and thanks for entering!
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Really?
You mean you live in Iowa now, or you are "from" Iowa originally? -
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I live in Iowa now, Im from Missouri orignially, only 30 mins from Iowa though
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My father lives in Missouri now ...
and my sister lives there too.
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What a wonderful write, so rich in history and full of pride for a homestate!! I am loving this!!! I have never been to Iowa but this has made me wanna go visit your seemingly wonderful state
Very well done and thank you for your entry!
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This truly is an epic piece, Jim. Very intelligent penning, Scribe. Best of luck in the contest & a hearty congratulations on the Finch and Rose Literary Society request to read. 
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Mighty patriotic
I kept thinking as I read, that, whatever the predilections of the writer, who I know to be very capable, this should have been no more than a rough draft for a mini-epic -- in metre and all! Has anyone ever written a sort of Americaniad? You would have thought that all the suffering and struggles of the Land of the Free (plus any number of ready-made quotes) would have lent itself to a being a best-seller. Perhaps it requires an outsider...Hmm...
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Thanks ...
this is the first and only draft to date. I wrote it sitting here typing it into the box last night.
However, since I've been invited to read an original poem about Iowa by the Finch and Rose Literary Society, and there will be 28 other poets reading their poems, I didn't really think most people would appreciate a mini-epic.
This is an interesting question: "Has anyone ever written a sort of Americaniad?"
The answer is yes: Walt Whitman. However, it was not in rhyme and meter, but in free verse. I'm not really quite in his league though.
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Ah, Walt....
I have shown up my ignorance, once again. He wasn't the one who wrote about the Blue and the Grey, by chance? Brave you! 28! The pioneering spirit is not dead!
BTW, was Iowa originallly part of the Louisiana Purchase? and - er -what is the Finch and Rose Society? -
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Oops ...
I see I forgot to mention that yes, Iowa was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Finch and Rose Literary Society is an Iowa based literary society. I am not particularly familiar with it, but it seems to have been around for some time. Several of my poet friends and acquaintances have also been asked to read their poems then as well. -
The Blue And The Gray ...
was written by Francis Miles Finch. However, don't feel bad about not knowing that. Most people wouldn't know it either. That could possibly be the only poem for which he is even remembered.
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inspiring
How with this poem you inspire one to look into this place ,quiet and proud,
a bulwark of all that is American . Your words endear the stars and stripes ...a fist holding a dream then lets it fly like a gentle butterfly ...that was the feeling of this poem..
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Wow what a wonderfully patriotic piece this is for the state you so love. A very intense piece that draws the reader in with your emotion. Thank you for your entry
Gaylene
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