Ohio

Pronounced O-hi-o
Name from the Seneca Indian word ohi:yo’
Meaning beautiful river
Two hundred twenty miles wide and long

Born 1803, same year as Emerson
Colors, scarlet and gray
Bird, bright red cardinal
Some famous Ohioans, Marilyn Manson, Traci Lords

Eight Ohio presidents, the mother of presidents they say
Ohioans, proud prodding people
A mixed bag, not one thing but many
By a stretch, more profane than urbane

For many years, a place to make things
Now a place remaking itself
Like all states, good things, people to brag about
Known for buckeyes…an inedible nut of no commercial value

Eleven plus million people, seventh most populous state,
On Eastern Standard Time, but behind the times in some ways
A practical, grounded place, like Woody Hayes’ football
One wish for Ohio, believe in what you can’t see

Author: Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D.

Biography Writer, photographer, poet, and teacher. Holds doctorates in Divinity and Metaphysical Philosophy. Author of 20 books, including seven poetry books, nine photography, and four nonfiction books. Contact Information Contact Don Iannone by email: diannone@gmail.com

8 thoughts on “Ohio”

  1. Anyone who writes a poem about Ohio is alright in my eyes! Nice poem, I am proud to live in Ohio. God bless being behind the times, I like it. I cannot imagine Marilyn Manson being a neighbor, he is certainly somewhat radical with his music and appearance. It sounds interesting at the least.

  4. this told me a lot more than i knew
    it also took me back to folk clubs many years ago – sing banks of the ohio 🙂
    cheers

Leave a comment