Am I the Midwest The one we read about The one they send the reporters to cross the state borders Just to figure the people out Am I the Midwest The one we sing about All pockmarked with Dairy Queens, state football dreams And university towns Am I the Midwest The one we blame The one we castigate The one we shame The one that shows up On time at eight The one we love The one we hate Am I the Midwest The one they photograph After Delphi leaves and the workers grieving Become another think piece Am I the Midwest The one they interview On the radio stations in the European nations Where Americana still feels new Am I the Midwest The one that blames The one that speaks up Two years too late The one that shows up On election day The one that votes The one that hates Am I the Midwest The plain-spoken grout between the coasts Am I the Midwest Home of miniature golf and self-conscious boasts Am I the Midwest Home of jersey cows in stallion shoes Am I the Midwest The one in the news