Drought in the Heartland

I hope this letter

finds you.

Since you left

long days have become

mostly quiet 
and very still.

Though I still tend barren fields 

that lie parched and waiting,

I expect no harvest

anytime soon.

On days when

great rolling storms

appear without warning

and block out the sun,

I draw the shades
and hide inside

from the howling wind

that rattles the windows.

Hope sees no reason

to visit here anymore,

but I continue to work the soil

and check the sky for clues.

It is hard to imagine you 

experiencing a drought of smiles

in these days of love's thirst,

but they say times are tough all over.

I hope things are better

where you are.

Write when you can.

Inspired by the Ken Burns film "The Dust Bowl"

Ken Owen   Van Niddy Press   June 2014