by Rodney Nelson

on this kind of prairie where due north 
can never be undue let the eye
take its own meridian toward
the designated farm
             admit that
only stepchildren were born to it
not one a designee not even
the first humdinger boy to arrive
in a roar

     on this kind of prairie
do not ever try to be more than
an unneeded guest at the table
until it is due time to stomp out
and man the fields
                to become in turn
after eating wind for an epoch
an unheeded visitor on them
and have to work to leave the prairie
or work to stay
    and work to love it