Sodbuster's Lament

Today there’s only silence from the West:
No word from the curséd town.
And we can’t believe that we believed this best.

We’ve heard that every ocean wave must crest
And with a heavy groan come crashing down,
But today there’s only silence from the West.

They said, “Cross the Mississippi-you’ll be blessed!
The soil is of national renown!”
Now we can’t believe that we believed this best.

Success! It was the creed that we confessed.
Well, water is a fine thing, too, until you drown.
And today there’s only silence from the West,

Yes, today we are poor and sore distressed.
As pasture-green turns into desert-brown,
We can’t believe that we believed this best.

One day those who labor will find rest
And exchange their dusty sorrows for a crown-
But today there’s only silence from the West,
And we can’t believe that we believed this best.

4.19.01