Font Color=darkvioletdust Bowl (School Assignment 9th) Poem by Jane Meyer

(I wrote this ''poem'' as an assignment for my Social Studies teacher. I guess an 'A, B, C poem' is considered a poem, but it's more like a short story. I didn't think I would like this enough to put it up here, but by the time I'd finished it, I was rather pleased with my work. Anyway, the poem is about the Dust storms that plagued the area from Texas to North Dakota during the Great Depression. I'd love to know what you think.)

As I feel the wind pick up, a
bitter taste fills my mouth. I try to hold back the
coughs, so my little
Diana won’t worry. Neither of us are well,
even her youthful lungs are suffering. Our land is
forsaken of all crops, all water, all life but our own. The only reason we’ve not
gone being little Diana, only of her sixth year, is not fit to
head out west. My brother writes from
Iowa. He says the dust has effects even there, reminding me or our constant
jeopardy. He tells of how few people show any
kindness nowadays. I read aloud for his letter, “The Great Depression has
left everyone in the mindset of self first.
My opinion is that we’re all in this together.
No one has more than pennies to their name, but
our combined efforts would be enough to rid our nation of this depression. But enough of my
personal beliefs. How are you? Things here still aren’t the best. Last night’s sup was a scrawny
quail, but it was the best
Resa and I could scrounge up. Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely, your brother Samuel.” I pick up a pen to write my reply.
The Depression, the dust storms, the drought, all of it is near
unbearable. Diana and I pray everyday for it to rain, but I fear we pray in
vain.
Without water, the storms will only worsen, They
expand their range of destruction every hour and I’m afraid this
year won’t be their last. But I’ll pray, I’d pray to
Zeus if it would help. ‘Til we speak again, brother, Jane.”