I’ve seen ariel photos
Of our Nation at night
The east is immensely illuminated with lights
The west is immensely illuminated with lights
But not like the east

Seeing this from a red-eye flight
Is like looking at a blemished face
Clusters of flaws
Lights tracing rivers
Like debris on a jaw
Cystic mountains of civilization
Cluttered more in the central and eastern parts of our Nation

Townships utilizing enough electricity to light an entire city
Illuminating their humble territory for all the world to see
Not a hint of mystery
Lights, from fast food chains and sleepy neighborhoods
Broadcasting to the Universe,
That Sterling, Illinois, exists