In November 2018 I undertook a walk along historic Fannin St., a walk that began at Allen's Landing, and, due to darkness and my camera batteries dying, ended at TMC Transit Center.
I took some photos and intended to return to finish my journey and take more photos.
I returned twice, the 2nd time with camera in tow.
Fannin St. is 8.3 miles in length, and one sees a lot, from historic buildings, including numerous churches, to 2 bayous, murals, inspirational sidewalk quotes, museums, a zoo, a college, statues, transit centers, hospitals, walking and cycling trails, sports and entertainment venues, and a number of restaurants and a gas station for when you need to go potty mid-walk.
The purpose of this post is to reprint my poem and essay, from November, and include the Fannin St. photos...
I hope that, by including the photos, added inspiration is given to any readers to get out and explore their community on foot.
This is something I intend to do more of now that I have a work schedule that allows me more freedom to do something more than sit at home in between work shifts.
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.
Thoughts From a Bloomin' Houstonian
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"...
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 2 days in November 2018, and one day this month...I explored the length of Fannin St.
Fannin is an interesting mix; starting in the Historic District, next to Allen's Landing, the birthplace of Houston, it heads south for 8.3 miles.
From 100-year old, and older, buildings and churches, to mid-20th century, to modern skyscrapers, from storefront businesses to shopping complexes, from historic markers to historic quotes embedded in pavement, the downtown, from retail to religion, one can follow the growth of Houston as it spread out toward what became Midtown.
To get there, one has to navigate around several homeless encampments under the freeway near the Downtown Metro and Greyhound stations.
Out in the midtown area, what was once, and still is in some places, run down, is slowly being redeveloped; Houston Community College, high rise apartments and fancy retail, sit next to long established diners of various sorts.
Out past mid-town is the Museum District.
Once past that you come to Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo and Rice U. One can safely navigate this area by using the shared-use trail in the park, as it takes you next to Fannin to the Medical Center.
Once past a couple of historic churches one is taken through the west side of the huge, Medical Center neighborhood of hospitals.
As you leave this area you eventually pass NRG Park and the long-neglected, soon to be, possibly, re-born Houston Astrodome and arrive at the south end of the Metro Red Line Train Route.
The last mile, or so, of your journey takes you past industrial enterprises, open fields, and high-end residential communities, but be careful as, in some spots the sidewalk is either hidden by weeds, or non-existent.
The last block is on a narrow, busy, stretch of road, with no sidewalk and is next to a large forested area adjacent to a golf course that Fannin ends at.
Traffic is heavy, here, all day long, as motorists go along Feldman, from the main highway, Almeda, to and from Fannin.
At the bus stop you are rewarded, on a clear day, with a very nice view of the downtown skyline.
Let me end this update with these thoughts...
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.
Flicka said: Fannin Street - has a nice ring to it. Thank you for the tour of Houston city streets as seen on foot.
Posted by: Flicka | January 22, 2019 at 03:47 AM
Excellent poem. I am glad you get out and enjoy everything in your area.
Posted by: Ellen Pilch | January 30, 2019 at 06:41 PM