Iowa

A long slow drive across corn country

What do you think of
When you think of Iowa?

In the morning sun: cornstalks.
Overhead skies so blue.
Way out in the farmlands,
A country of green stretches
To both horizons.

My friend Joel was from Iowa.
I still picture him driving an old Farmall
to school with his sweetheart
perched on the fender.

I only know Iowa as long straight highways,
Odometer logging miles
While I fight boredom and sleep;
Alvord to Waterville and on.

What do you think of
When you think of Iowa?