New York State
Towheaded children on state-sanctioned farmlands
Could tell you the secrets of reticent corn stalks
Their soft flaxen filaments harbor escape plans
But gravity has them in pastoral padlocks
When tractors show up to turn maize into mazes
By pushing their tassels in reverent poses
They privately wonder why so much of prayer is
Preventing a climax til someone proposes
The town will all show up to forfeit their bearings
And enter the labyrinth of those left still standing
One flagpole per person, except for the daring
Who enter incautiously, not understanding