rolling plains
of muted color
stretch beneath
a deep blue sky
land of wind
and violent weather
sun-drenched days
and star-filled nights
from the tallgrass
to the mountains
northern spruce
to southern pine
once a rich
and flowered prairie
grazed by bison
born of fire
now a realm
of quilted farms
of corn and wheat
and cattle raised
viewed by hawks
and vocal migrants
on their flights
above this land
endless vistas
greet the traveler
distant hills
and painted skies
