The Hearts Of The Heartland

For the Cowboy Up contest

 

Within every state across the nation

Is the backbone of America…

They are the heartlands,

All to often unappreciated

Yet vital to keeping citizens fed.

For it is where so much

Of our resources and nutrients

Are produced to keep us happy and strong.

These heartlands so beautiful by nature

But so harsh to the men and women

Working hard to keep it alive and thriving.

Even more unappreciated then the

Crops and livestock they tend to.

Without fail from sunrise to sunset

They work it to the bone

Not thinking of the costs or sacrifice,

Just doing what they know.

The blood and sweat that drips

From beneath those ten gallon hats

Is a show of pride in producing for a country

That often forgets they exist. 

Reviews

[Jamie S.]

Bravo Dale!!! This piece speaks to my heart. My grandfather was a farmer and I currently take care of a gentlmen who farmed 30 years ago when it was much harder. We should all appreciate them and when we see thier tractors on the roads instead of getting frustrated with them for being in the way just wave and smile. Have you seen the new show on called The Last American Cowboy? Definatly a must see! Thank you for sharing :)

[Theresa]

Homage to the ones we so easily disregard and you do it so beautifully. A truly great piece.

[Kesha]

Such a beautiful and true piece! So very lightly written but with so much meaning in the words! Wonderful job on this piece! :)

[An owl on the moon]

Such a powerful dedication to those who work so hard to keep us strong and well fed. I do so miss all the fresh produce and such from California. Used to have peach, apricot, apple, walnut, and almond trees in our backyard. The farmland was all around us. Thank you for this write!

[Katie]

I absolutely love this piece. We should all take time and appreciate our country and states like this write. Amazing, as usual! :)

[Poetic Beauty]

This is so very true. i live in Illinois a big corn and soy bean state and many farmers work hard and get no reward. These hard working men and women in this nation deserve respect that they often don't get. Love this poem.

[LisetteCanWrite!]

Very touching and needed writing.. I am not in the US but Canada.. sadly I see so many farmlands up for sale and being split up. Your ending is most moving and I wonder sometimes how many people weigh out the produce they buy (not saying buying other country's produce is wrong here). It's good (sometimes needed) to get a sale on items but also just as important to support our local farmers and businesses.. this writing was right on the mark! Brilliantly written!

[Mary E. Green]

Love it! Great job!

[Joanna Maharis]

This is such a beautiful portrait of America. While reading this piece, I could easily picture the farmers at work. It is the effluence of the mellowness that runs through their souls, and their inner strength that carries them through the day of putting in hours of hard work. You captured all of this brilliantly.

[An Ordinary Woman]

Your recent writing seems to be transforming into slam... very cool. I've always enjoyed slam a lot. Great writing!

Good luck with the contest!