Each week, the Standard reaches out to Austin’s Typewriter Rodeo for a custom poem on Texas topics.

By Sean Petrie September 9, 2022 11:32 am Agriculture & Animals, Arts & Culture, Typewriter Rodeo flickr.com/cogdog (CC BY 2.0) This poem is about a plant — not a person. But in the wake of the sudden passing of an enormous political and historical figure, it’s easy to see parallels. A cactus was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem — but it’s lasting presence is similar to the seven decade reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Giant Cacti There are ones Way out in west Texas But also This beautiful monster Right beside my house I mean, it must be 70, 100 years old Taller than my roof Just stretching straight up To the sky It made it Through that horrible freeze That shut down the state It has not just survived The droughts and months Of 100 degrees But thrived The wind storms The pesky bugs and squirrels All of it It still keeps Reaching And just last week For the first time I’ve ever seen Pink blossoms Bursting near the top A celebration For all who look up And so maybe With the wearying weather With the pests Of political divisiveness With all the stress and strain Of each day Maybe There is still Strong Slow-blooming Hope. Typewriter Rodeo airs each Friday on Texas Standard. Send us your ideas for a poem on Facebook or Twitter, or send us an email. Typewriter Rodeo is also available anytime in podcast form. If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.

flickr.com/cogdog (CC BY 2.0)

This poem is about a plant — not a person. But in the wake of the sudden passing of an enormous political and historical figure, it’s easy to see parallels. A cactus was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem — but it’s lasting presence is similar to the seven decade reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

There are ones Way out in west Texas But also This beautiful monster Right beside my house I mean, it must be 70, 100 years old Taller than my roof Just stretching straight up To the sky It made it Through that horrible freeze That shut down the state It has not just survived The droughts and months Of 100 degrees But thrived The wind storms The pesky bugs and squirrels All of it It still keeps Reaching And just last week For the first time I’ve ever seen Pink blossoms Bursting near the top A celebration For all who look up And so maybe With the wearying weather With the pests Of political divisiveness With all the stress and strain Of each day Maybe There is still Strong Slow-blooming Hope.

Typewriter Rodeo airs each Friday on Texas Standard. Send us your ideas for a poem on Facebook or Twitter, or send us an email.

Typewriter Rodeo is also available anytime in podcast form.

If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.

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