Kansas Summer Highway

The sun skips across the Kansas summer sky
as Flint hills run in waves around the horizon. 
The Kansas wind scampers around the tall grass
causing leaves, twigs and garbage to roll across the prairie
fusing to timeworn wooden fence posts.

A stretch of murky tape unrolls to just over the next ridge.
Every time the next hill is crested it rolls itself out 
just a little bit more.

The gilded prairie grass fox-trots in the wind.
While scattered bleak patches every few miles
signal the season’s burning has begun.

The wearisome on and on of the straight highway
can lead you to a fog through which you miss
all the subtle differences within a Kansas Landscape.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Kauffman Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Alison, wonderful images - wonderful picture painted with words. Have driven many roads like the one in your poem - a great metaphor for the way routine can dull our senses. Congratulations on your HM. I enjoyed this poem.
Hodges Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 2:05 PM
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Walker Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 8:51 PM
Alison, your poem reminds me of our extended drives through Kansas. That is when we turned on our CDs and managed to sing along as the rustic scenery rolled by for miles. Thank you for the memories. ~ Sonia
Hodges Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 8:54 PM
Thank you for reading.
Inman Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 3:28 PM
This is lovely Allison.
Hodges Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 2:05 PM
thank you James. I'm glad you liked it.
Amina Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 4:13 AM
So Beautiful
Hodges Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 6:36 AM
Thank you Saeeda!
Ashley Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 8:09 PM
This is such a beautifully captivating poem, Alison. Your lovely metaphors and engaging imagery brought me there.. to the view the Kansas landscape with you. Fantastic! Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Hodges Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 8:45 PM
Thank you Susan. I wrote it today after driving an hour and a half on I70.
Hodges Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 8:45 PM
Thank you Susan. I wrote it today after driving an hour and a half on I70.
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