Once the center
all life entered here
in the back door
in the country.
Back door to the kitchen
garden bounties,
clothes on the line,
muddy bare feet
entered here
in the country.
Man's approach widened
four lanes, snow plows,
pollution and sound noise
cars, trucks, trash
entered here
in the back door
in the country.
Barns gone, chickens gone
sittin' on the back porch gone
loneliness entered here
in the country.
Neglect, industry, medians mowed,
crop dusting, snow mobiles
entered here
in the country.
Yet beauty and hope,
promise and creation,
garden and earth wise
enter here
in the front door
in the country.
