I am standing in the middle

Of Middle America

In those amber waves of grain

Of which we hear so much about

Although I look, I rarely see what lies before me

Reflecting the sun

Like a blazing, golden mirror

I am struck

Dumbfounded

By the ineffable splendor

But ‘America the Beautiful’

Does not ring in my head

Because something like this

Does not belong to America

Does not belong to anyone

Does not belong to God

For this is its own

Completely free

I will not photograph it to bring it back as a trophy

I am unworthy, and besides, a mere 180-degree panorama

Is not sufficient

I need a panorama that encompasses everything

Across the universe

To properly illustrate

And of course,

If I had that,

All questions would be answered

I couldn’t if I tried

I cannot tame it

And this emptiness here

In Middle America

Is the closest I will ever be

To a 360-degree view of

Being