Rows of starched green and yellow paisley feather stalks Marching in ordered lines along the road to 57 Eldon Way Hot dogs and char burgers charge the air with yesterday's homecoming Buds of moxie memories tipping long ears to big blue Listening to the chickadees vocal pecking at kernels from the past Morsels fall to the dirt signal life again for those willing to root Pulled magpies to lines spy intimate joy-scattered seed below Promising fortunes creased by hourglasses settled sand White washed porches with rose printed borders Nestle a "his and her" swing vantage over familiar fields Imagined better-time scenes from selfie soaked movies More real than all the forgotten stones ever stepped upon Sweet tea sugar fills tall glasses of yarn spun dreams Glory red and navy rippling a windy beat To the clang of their steal pole clasp Dance Swing with them and recall a time of slower horizons Of richer baskets Of brighter springs Of longer summers Take a dip in the swimming hole Naked, together, and happy
Eldon is the Iowa town brought to life in Grant Wood's American Gothic painting. 57 is my favorite ketchup and everything best about being human... The poem reflects a memory of returning to a simpler time with improved perspective, remembering what we want. Magpies symbolize good luck, optimism and also deception.