Indiana Pride

People who are born and have lived there
are known as Hoosiers, 
source of appellation unknown.
Well known, however, 
is the Hoosier stubbornness and pride. 

The biggest city is Chicago.   
It’s in Illinois, 
a favorite Hoosier destination
known for its crime 
which Hoosiers regard as disgrace. 

Of course, there’s the “Indy 500” 
which lasts a day 
and is recognized by Hoosiers as sport, 
that and religion
which, as sport, is not openly admitted. 

Hoosiers actually know little of the Bible,
just those few verses
used to find someone else guilty 
of sin, 
such fun still not advertised 
as official sport. 

The most public sport is basketball.
You can see the hoops on garages and barns, 
in city parks and schoolyards.  
In some locales, 
gymnasiums serve as city centers. 

The State Basketball Tournament 
is the year’s event,
though revivals also trademark the state.
And, of course, along with a State Tree 
called “tulip poplar,” though poplar it is not, 
the “peony” (by some called “piney) is
the beautiful State Flower.

Most colleges in Indiana 
are church-related
(so the faithful may monitor what’s taught).
Missionaries of different labels
are each year sent abroad 
to convert dark heathens from sin
…a carryover from the 19th Century.  

But now there’s a change going on.
It’s a constant struggle 
as farmers immigrate to the cities 
seeking jobs. 
It’s a blow to Hoosier independence
and pride.

But worse, Hoosiers are flocking to Trump
like flies to a shoat barn in summer:
a man who despises morals, 
constantly speaks lies 
and doesn’t know the use of manure. 

What has happened to Hoosier conviction? 
Was it but skin deep?
Is it true that self-interest defines their belief?
Is “Hypocrite” replacing “Hoosier” 
as the statewide label?

Well, who’s to know? 
Appellation is always a danger.
Smoke is not always sign of a fire.
But perhaps it’s time
to cut breaks, dig fire lanes, 
and start backfires!

It may be also be a time for penitence, 
revivals, and Bible reading,
and the hypocritical habits Hoosiers have known 
when finding themselves deep in shit.

Or need we not be concerned by Hoosier troubles?
Maybe God is still on their side 
as they believe He has always been.  
But sticking a thumb in God’s eye!
Is that really wise? 

Or are they misinformed of God’s wrath, 
knowing God as the pushover He’s always been. 
Look even now at Israel:
they have shown no love for Palestinians,
just took their land. 

Surely Trump had not made a peep at their plight.
So, maybe, after all, might is right
and God has gone back to sleep!
So, we needn’t expect Hoosiers to change:
Not if God is still on their side.