Pride + Strife

Free write dump from the idea of midwestern pride:

The only place you can find ice cream stands. Heartland and americana run stay. Heartland, when deer hunting season opens and the men tun into the woods and the women at home celebrate birthdays, taking deep breaths. Flannel and Farm and Fleet beat your drums. Pull of recognition against the idea of wanting to be left alone. Sense of pride in the struggle of just being alive.

In struggle and strife
we found pride
and entitlement
we are the heartland
we beat our chests bloody

There is no easy in the midwest
everyone is pulling themselves up
by their blue collar, every morning believing
the entire country would collapse
if they woke up dead

The core of our whole country
saying see us see our work
how well we survived
like marooned sailors found alive
years after their death certificates
but refusing to board the rescue vessel
until their name is appended with a royal title