I Am Texas

Thomas Hemminger

November 24, 2024

I ride on the mighty roar

of a plains twister, that

cuts the earth like a plow.

I hover over the hidden

places of the lowly, who

huddle in the tall grass.

I keep my watch over all

from the longhorn to the moorhen

from the raptor to the river bass.

Those who are thirsty

may drink from my rivers.

Those who are hungry

may eat from my supply.

I am Texas, and

I stretch out my sky

toward a golden horizon.

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published locally in Dallas and in The Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge, The Texas Poetry Assignment, and The Poetry Catalog. His hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Through America’s favorite “neighbor,” Thomas learned the importance of loving others and giving them their own space and grace to grow.