A Poem for a Minnesota Girl

For I. J.

I never wanted to go north,

near the border of Canada, 

where an ex-boyfriend lives—

But you’re far from him.

You aren’t anywhere near

the thick Southern heat,

where humidity chokes you

and skies are never clear.

Under the big sky,

swimming in 10,000 lakes,

the Mesabi’s own

will never be mine.

Miles and miles,

too many to count.

A Promise to Keep,

a long road to travel. 

Flowers bloom along 

the highway to you,

I tell you not to worry

about my midnight drive. 

Kiss me good morning

when I arrive at your door,

I’ve brought no luggage

just a willing hand.

Lay me down under

the warm Sun while

you complain about

the heat —  it’s never 

this nice at home.

The sky turns dark

and you turn to me.

Staring at the stars —

You tell me my head 

is in the clouds, but that

I should never come down. 

A buoyant mind

and a heart to drown.

Words I’ll write with

my busy hands-

I’ll keep telling these stories,

if you keep me around.

If you asked me to 

hang the bright moon,

I’d climb up the sky

and ask God for string.

Whatever He gives me,

I hope it’s enough 

to hang the moon high,

Just for you——

the star of the north.