As the geographical heart of the United States, Ohio has an ability to provoke the imaginations of many. It has been graced with immense natural beauty that is often marred by the scars of humankind's corrupting ways. This state also encompasses many different walks of life from small farming communities to massive sprawling metropolises. Seeing all of these juxtaposing forces mesh with each other in our home state, Ohioans have a unique perspective on life. This unique perspective translates over to our poetry. A book showcasing some of the many poems written about Ohio is well warranted and will be a lucid snapshot of life in the Buckeye state. I propose that Gwen Hart's "Anniversary Poem" be the focal point of, and the first poem in this collection.
First off, Hart's piece should be the foundation to build the book around because it is globally understandable and accessible. It has the ability to relate to not only people from Ohio and similar geographic regions but to nearly any human being from any part of the world. It is a narrative about universal human realities such as life and death and love and loss. These are concepts that can bridge languages, bridge borders, and even bridge races. The locale of the poem is also universal to all different cultures. There isn't a single country in the world that doesn't posses at least some kind of large body of water to relate the Lake Erie setting to. Some of the other poems don't speak to such broad audiences. I believe that without an understanding of the Amish way of life, John Miller's "The Amish Farmer's Daughter" would have very little meaning. Such lines as "She should be warmly bonneted, / a long, dark woolen skirt around her calves ." and " skimming on wooden blades ." would actually serve to confuse the reader about the time period in which the action takes place. Hart's poem takes place in a specific place and time yet can be transferred to any region or culture without loosing it's meaning or effect.