JOHN STEINBECK

John came up out of the fertile dirt
Over in Salinas Valley, California.
Heart pumping black ink.
Nose scented parchment,
Scratched upon it with a pen.
Telling the stories of farming, oceans,
Endless loss of the dust bowl family,
In painted words Steinbeck was a master.
Novelist, short story writer, war correspondent,
Blended together to make this teller of tales.
East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men,
Cannery Row, The Red Pony and Pearl,
Kept rolling from his heart and mind.