Letter: An ode to what was western North Dakota, not what it’s turning into

I grew up where the blue of the lake peeks out behind the Badlands,

With their gray clay sides,

And spots of bright green grass,

And red scoria tops.

Where the sky is big, bright, clear and blue and at night is scattered with crystal stars.

I grew up where the scent of the wild plum blossoms is overpowering as it mixes with the sweet clover and all of the wildflowers that occupy the ground.

I grew up where the warm breeze carries the tune of the meadowlark.

So far, it is inescapable.

I grew up where I could breathe the clean, fresh air and enjoy all of these wonderful things.

But now as I look upon the Badlands in all their glory,

I see monsters eating up the land.

And the sky is not as blue, and at night, I see flames, instead of the crystal stars.

And now the scents of the plum blossoms, sweet clover and wildflowers are masked by gas and dust.

And now the breeze struggles to carry the song of the meadowlark as it is held back by revving engines, horns and clanging pipes.

And now instead of the clean, fresh air, I breathe in dust and exhaust.

And now as I see, and smell and feel all the wonderful things I love, instead of joy and happiness, I feel sadness and anger.

And now as I sit in my corner of the world, I wonder,

What will become of the things I love?

What will become of my home?

Meghan Voigt is a Killdeer High School sophomore

Tags: opinion, letter, letters, killdeer, badlands