An unrulable expanse of geography

An unrulable expanse of geography
An aerial photographer over-exposed
To the cartologist's 2D images knows
The areas where the water flowed
So petrified, the landscape grows
Straining eyes try to understand
The works, incessantly in hand
The carving and paring of the land
The quarter square, the graph divides
Beneath the rule a country hides

Interrupting my train of thought
Lines of longitude and latitude
Define and refine my altitude
[repeat]

The curtain's undrawn
Harness [bad word]  no escape
Common and peaceful, duck, flat, lowland
Landscape, canal, canard, water coloured

Crystal palaces for floral kings
widespread waving span of wings
Witness the sinking of the sun
deep breath of submission has begun

Interrupting my train of thought
Lines of longitude and latitude
Define and refine my altitude