Middle of Nowhere
Let’s try to reframe this thought, shall we? Middle of nowhere? How about--center of everything. A rebrand, if you will. I mean, it’s only a 12-hour drive to get to the beach, who can beat that?! Plus, if you’re okay with the beach actually being a lake we can really cut that drive down. Let’s try a new perspective out! Who cares if we don’t have the exotic nightlife you’re looking for— our Saturday mornings are absolutely killer. Where else can you get a homemade cinnamon roll for less than $5? Plus, get this, we have seasons. Who would’ve thought that in such a dull place you can actually experience the dynamic nature of the environment! Did you forget about the satisfying experience of stomping on freshly packed snow? Or did you misplace the memory of that snow returning in the summer heat in a styrofoam cup coated with high-fructose-corn syrup? Where else will you get to experience all of the temperatures the globe has to offer in one place? You’re not getting this anywhere else. Don’t even attempt to tell me this place is uncultured! Where do you think your inability to say goodbye properly came from? Nobody else says, “ope, let me scoot right past ya.” The middle of nowhere is really not as bad as you make it out to be. There are still beautiful sunsets, delicious food, and welcoming people. Just look past the endless corn fields and rebrand it—we really are the center of everything.
Amy Puzniak (she/her) is a beginning writer based in Saint Louis, Missouri. She received her BA and MA in English and MA in education from Truman State University. As an educator, she hopes to inspire her students to pursue creative endeavors and express themselves through writing. In her free time, she loves to read romance novels, spend time with her dog, and explore local coffee shops. She can be found online @amyrose.reads on all platforms.