Protecting from the sun and heat
trees spread arms
high and wide over me
and sing
softly, gently, whispering –
I can sleep in peace.
On the prairie
Precious trees,
a grove a treasure
along a creek
miraculously fed
by flowing spring.
One can forget here
unpleasant elsewhere
and dream:
someday
there will be Peace –
I will be free.
-Duane L. Herrmann
Duane L. Herrmann, internationally published, award-winning poet and historian, has held a variety of teaching and other positions, now retired. His history and poetry have won awards and are translated into several languages. Collections of poetry are: Prairies of Possibilities, Ichnographical: 173, and Praise the King of Glory.