A Crawford County Tale

by Jean Krieg

I imagine the land speaking to me, saying
bluebirds, goldfinches and monarchs now color the sky,
black raspberry vines and goldenrod carpet the earth.
In the past, farmer's cows trod over me,
trampled the prairie grasses,
and chomped on fallen, wormy apples from young trees.
Before that, maple and shagbark hickory trees
found their footing and set down roots.
Before that, the first cabin was built in the township,
then in 1843 a young man surveyed the area,
noting gently rolling terrain,
and oak, sugar, elm, ash, and lynn (basswood) trees.
Before that, troops followed Black Hawk's trail nearby.
Before that, Canadian pioneers settled in the county,
in an area first called "Popple".
Before that, native people hunted the plentiful game,
walked valleys, ridges, and ravines,
fished from nearby creeks and streams,
and drank cool spring water.
Before that, the land was forgotten by the glaciers,
retaining the rich soil, bluffs, and vital rivers
that forever has welcomed us.