The Gem of the Lead Belt

i.
For couples with a sense of adventure, we recommend Knob Lick Tower off of 67. This 1938 New Deal Project used to function as a forest fire lookout, but has since been abandoned. Now, it is the location of choice for teenagers to get high and fool around. Don’t let them have all the fun! A hundred feet up in the air, you’ll admire the glittering lights of the gas stations and the far-off hum of lonely semis. You’ll appreciate local art, mediums ranging from spray paint to good old-fashioned carvings, from notable artists such as JT + RA, michael pierce!, and Your Mom. Go at sunset for the best views, and don’t forget a padlock! You can immortalize your love by attaching it to the chain link enclosure of the lookout deck. That’s right—our own little Pont Des Arts, right here in flyover country.

ii.
Fans of literature will enjoy visiting the sights mentioned in acclaimed author Herbert Ashbury’s seminal work, Up From Methodism. In a chapter of this well-known memoir, Ashbury details the rounds of Hatrack, a local prostitute. A true entrepreneur, she took her Protestant clients to the Catholic graveyard to conduct business, and vice versa. You can still visit these famous graveyards and pay tribute to Hatrack by reenacting a summer tryst. A few grave rubbings make great souvenirs, too! If you dislike the outdoors as a location for a rendezvous but still want to admire the natural scenery, we recommend the modern solution: parking. Any secluded copse of trees off the highway acts as an excellent parking spot.

iii.
Though you are probably familiar with Train Bridge, a must-see for any tourist, we recommend taking a trip off the beaten path to really immerse yourself in the culture. Past Train Bridge lies the abandoned public school. You can access it from the gravel road, but go quietly—this is technically private property overseen by a man with a shotgun. Architecture buffs will find much to admire with this stately cinderblock building. Much of the roof is intact, and the entryway opens onto a large open area most likely used as a gym. From the east side, you can explore a thin, dark hallway branching into other classrooms off the east side. Bring a flashlight, some spray paint, and a Ouija board for the most interactive experience. You may meet some young locals during your excursion—fear not! Offer to take a flash photo of them for their Instagram and they just might thank you with a hit from their blunt.

iv.
If you’re seeking a more laid-back activity, look no further than Engler Park. Located off of 67 just outside of town, Engler Park boasts three tennis courts, two playgrounds, multiple soccer fields, a bird sanctuary, and two lakes. We specifically recommend visiting Giessing Lake, not for the fishing amenities but for the large plastic frog moored in the water. Originally a fixture of the indoor children’s area of the civic center pool, this friendly frog now ominously peers at you from the water. Stare into the only visible portion of his body—his large, amber eyes ringed with bittersweet orange—and contemplate the fabric of existence. Some visitors have even reported spiritual awakenings after spending just half an hour with the frog! To enhance your experience, speak with Kind of Creepy Kurt, a 21-year-old that sells his products near the skate park.

v.
What you have heard is mostly true: the man who rescues the broken moth from his windshield, the woman who leaves warm jackets outside of the food bank, the children who string long chains of dandelions around each other’s heads. You see, it’s quieter here. The fields, open. We are small people carving out small lives in the belly of a god. We are not so deluded so as not to hear the sounds of digestion all around us. Not enough neon to blind us: the stars wink out their sad predictions. Come, the grass beckons. It is calling you to visit, to split off part of your soul and keep it here. We hope you enjoy your stay—remember, we all turn to dust eventually.


Kimberly Ramos is a queer Filipina poet from Southern Missouri. They are currently completing their undergraduate degree in philosophy and creative writing at Truman State University. Their work has appeared in Southern Humanities Review, Jet Fuel Review, and West Trade Review, among others. She was recently nominated for Best New Poets by Whale Road Review and named a finalist of the Eastern Iowa Review chapbook contest.