The Blank Spot

an accident of natural forces,

 

undirected and pointless,

 

the black gold is trapped in

formations of shale that must

be fracked open, cracked open

by human hands,

 

the human mind is a tenacious thing,

a pit bull that mauls uncooked steak

after mauling another mutt in a dog

fight set up by Michael Vick,

 

but it was not developed by a

citizen from the blank spot on

the national conscience,

 

the nation's mind to quote

an eminent commentator,

 

the blank spot had been

on the downslide for decades,

 

the youth have spread their wings

and flown on from the nest,

 

the state grows hard red spring

wheat and a population that only

feeds off the social security udder,

 

in the occidental portion of the landscape,

the population still follows a negative trend line,

 

houses won't sell in a timely manner,

 

the agricultural economy only allow for

a limited employment pool,

 

the orient has all the oil,

the occident does not,

 

and when the oil stops flowing,

the economic hangover will be

f*****g intense,

 

same with the abundant years,

there will be some mean lean years,

 

and knowing the luck of

the Dust Bowl survivors,

 

that is when the real

bad luck will hit,

 

back-to-back disasters

that define epic storytelling,

 

the blank spot will return

to being the blank spot

that the nation at large

has always seen it as,

 

end of story and

they're sticking to it

Author's Note

An analysis of the analysis...a meta-analysis. Eric Sevareid called it "a large, rectangular blank on the nation's mind". He was right and his comment will stand the test of time.

Reviews

[roarke]

I'd love to see you on a interview show like Dick Cavat, along with Buck Meistersinger Fuller and Henry Miller......

[Kenneth The Poet]

That would be cool. I don't have high hopes about this oil boom, because I'm in my early 30's now and the bottom will fall out when in my 40's or my 50's. The paralysis that comes from it will be social and economic quadriplegia.

[roarke]

or it just might evolve into a better way of life.... at least that's what I'm countin' on. I got my mule all picked out.

[Kenneth The Poet]

Good point. I should be more positive about it I guess.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I work in agriculture so I know a lot of what you speak. You have boldly expressed why our economy is not getting any better.

[Kenneth The Poet]

I agree, because one's time of plenty is another's time of paltry.

[Robin]

and that's the thing isn't it ? that voracious pitbull that feeds on instinct , hardwired to consume on sight , eat now - pay later ...

and as for that blank space of the national conscience , yeah ...

well said ...

[Kenneth The Poet]

Thanks, Robin. Quite glad you like it.

[Coyote Poetry]

This is very good poetry. I like the logic of the statements. Each statement opening the door to questions and real life. New form of energy is necessary. Old earth can't take the abuse forever. Agricultural is needed too. Need food and resources for us to survive. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and poetry. Always leave me with much to ponder. A strong ending to a excellent poem.
Coyote

[Kenneth The Poet]

Thanks a bunch, Coyote.

[Antonio Valentino]

i so wish i could say that i have a positive outlook of the future, but i dont

not entirely anyway..

i was born, a simply, hopeful, idiot

like u said, time will certainly tell..

very nice truth you presented here..

[Kenneth The Poet]

Thank you, Antonio. My state in thriving economically right now unlike the others. Her day of reckoning will come.

[Antonio Valentino]

well, lets enjoy it while we can yes, and maybe even do our part to try and make things better

[Kenneth The Poet]

Agreed.