Northeast Iowa Poetry

Things at Osborne have been very busy with the Junior Naturalist Camps in full swing. Hope to have some updates and pictures from them soon. In the meantime, a night of refuge and inspiration was found while camping in a secluded valley on the Turkey River Watershed; creating this poem.  Wish we could all venture back to the times when the land was still wild and free.  Enjoy!


Relic Ridge
In a different day
a different time
you were mine
We were native lovers in another life,
Our spirits were young
our souls were old.
tonight I revisit
the spot where our
stories were told.


In a time when the world
was still sacred,
we shared the blessings
of the Driftless together.
We tickled ourselves with bluestems,
climbed the giant white pine
danced with the owl moon,
swam freely in a clear river
On relic ridge you were mine.

We followed the natural cycle.
in a country full of game
we blended our lifestyle with
perfect harmony
With open minds we
read the book of nature,
we were the oaks and prairies rooted deeply
in the Driftless soil.
Together we sowed the seeds of love,
we never let our food spoil;
for our impact was light and
our respect was deep for
the land which sustained us.

In a different day,
a different time
you were mine.
We were native lovers in another life,
Our spirits were young
our souls were old.
tonight I revisit
the spot where our
stories were told.

Centuries ago,
on this archaic limestone
our human lives were left behind
Nature is constant motion;
our bodies leave hope for
new life to be grown.
Now my spirit awakes with the
sun bringing dawn,
not with the sadness of
you being gone cause;
I won't forget the summer solstice
the sacred nights we shared
dancing in the ambiance of the Driftless.

In a different day,
a different time
you were mine.
We were native lovers in another life;
Our spirits were young
our souls were old,
tonight I revisit
relic ridge where our
stories are told.