Local Visit Inspires Poem

To the editor:

My name is Brian de Leon. I went to the Schulenburg Rodeo and Festival this year with my friends and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. We also toured the Painted Churches with Mr. Dennis, visited some antique shops in La Grange, and stayed in an Airbnb out in the country. I wrote a poem called “Enduring Charm” about my experience. I would be honored if you published it in your newspaper.

Enduring Charm 

They tell me “Rural, small-town America is now obsolete. What was once left by the noble and free to be your heritage sweet, Left by those who struggled for God and nation without deceit, Elites locked in edifices of glass now endeavor to make its ruin complete.

Indeed, the world of your fathers is slipping away, into legends it must retreat”. But I say, “The simple glory of our forebears has not left the land of the Lone Star”.

The crowd still sings an ode to Ol’Glory and bow their heads in prayer To begin the cowboy’s iconic bull and bronc rides for which bravery will flare.

And on a porch, where the old wooden floor has seen many a rocking chair, A mandolinist and fiddler still play for friends, a delight without compare. And altars still celebrate the Body and Blood before the faithful, who sin forswear, Within Painted Churches, each one the old religion’s beautiful and living heir, Built on pastures ‘round which the rancher still brings forth sustenance with care, Showing the Prairies drip with food for both body and spirit for all to share.

In these little things, we find the charm of a healthy nation and need not despair.

We keep alive our traditions and liberties, to the heart pleasing and most fair.