Alone 3: Thoughts From a "Bloomin'" Houstonian

ALONE 3: A Poem About Fannin St.

In the afternoon I  walk
Along an historic city street; myself
Looks about, and sees busy workers, tourists and the homeless,
Each alone in their own little worlds,
The sounds of a vibrant city 
All around me;
I explore and experience this scene
Seeing what is to see, and hearing what I can not; Conversations
of those I pass, with others and with themselves; and myself
With hands in my sweater pockets,
Smiles, tired, yet content, as
I make my way along Fannin St..

 

I was in a dark place, in 2012, when the urge to plant myself someplace new came over me...and God Said..."Houston".

And so, I was soon planted.

But the darkness soon overcame me...and God Said..."Houston Eye Associates and MD Anderson Cancer Center."

And so, I could soon see again,

But the darkness took another form as I tried to be creative and tried to find work...

Just when I thought I was being buried...God Said..."Houston Chronicle Essay...You Are a Wordsmith...Keep being Wordy."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Blog Paws...Poetry Workshops...Walmart."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Keep Writing...Get Out and Explore...Get Offers...Get Paid...And Not...Submit...Get Rejected...Submit Again...Get Accepted, Though Not For Pay...Keep Plugging Away."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Open Mic".

And so, the plant that is me was watered in God's own fashion, and in His own sweet time.

While life has not been easy, nor has getting feedback, I am no victim, just someone, with limited resources, and work schedules that work against him, and with various setbacks to his creative tool collection, making the best of things and trusting God knows what He's doing.

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Good Things Jar."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Houston Metro Rep My Route Interview."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."New Camera...New Computer...New Bike...Get Out...Explore...American Volkssport Association...Everwalk ...Attend Free Events and Conferences."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Create"...and so I've bought numerous shirts on which I've put messages to bring attention to me as a writer, walker, and cyclist, in the past year.

As a difficult Summer has passed into Fall and I wonder just where God is leading me and why in this seemingly meandering fashion...God said..."Write...Take Photos...Create...Explore."

Just when I thought I was buried...God Said..."Fannin Street."

...And so...on Black Friday 2018...I went down to somewhere just a few blocks north of Allen's Landing, the birthplace of H-Town...and walked its 1st 5 miles (I will walk the remaining 3.3 miles this afternoon.).

God HAS been watering this plant for 6 years...growing has been far from easy, but when I look back I am proud of what I have managed to do in a city completely unaware that a new creative voice is struggling to be discovered and to be heard.

To bloom...

NOTE: Thank you to Tom Waits for his song (lyrics) and the inspiration it gave me.

ALONE: A Poem (2006)

Alone 2: A Poem (2013)

UPDATE: Alone 3: A Poem and Essay Update with Photos (Jan. 2019)

UPDATE 2: Alone 4: A Poem About Walking in the Dark (April 2019)

 

Comments

[Flicka]

Keep writing - keep walking.

You have made a big difference in the lives of Elvira and Sneakers and Friday.

Love Fannin Street.