War.
In 1940, war was at our door.
So we built a place intended to erase
our fears. It was arm or be harmed.
Joliet was selected by the elected
to grow ammunition for the opposition.
WWII, Korea, Vietnam and on and on.
Want.
Then as suddenly as it began production ran
out. The closed plant sat vacant.
Weeds grew up, silent at first, they nursed
the land back to health, in stealth.
Over time the lame was renamed
Midewin to represent unity not immunity.
Its sense of mystic healing was appealing
to those sowing flowers over hours
lost to war with man and land.
Witness.
Come see the crumbling bunkers, you spelunkers!
Listen to the healing song of the long,
tall bluestem swaying and laying
its seed over weapons, then step in
to the floral explosion of color, no duller
than the brightest sun. Be one
to witness the transformation of a nation.
Remember the old hymn within:
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside!
Visit: At Midewin (30239 S. State Route 53, Wilmington, IL 60481), expect to find the world’s largest restoration project, amazing historical relics, miles of trail, symphonies of birds, explosions of flowers, oceans of grass, flotillas of butterflies, and beautiful bison down by the riverside of the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midewin_National_Tallgrass_Prairie
Consider: Nearby Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery was established in 2003 as the 17th national cemetery (also formerly part of the aforementioned Joliet Ammunition plant). An 18-foot granite obelisk stands to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and was donated by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
