Houston, a poem

I am not a writer of poetry but while taking a class at U of H, working towards my bachelors the assignment was to write a poem using ‘Chicago by Carl Sandburg’ as a model. I think I did a decent job of it. Today I was out and about in my old neighborhood and the poem came to mind. See what you think.

HOUSTON A Poem

By Virginia van Staveren

English Lit. 1989

 

Houston a doorway to the nation,

pathways from the South,

roads to the North.

Rodeos, games of Oiler's,

drillers of oil.

Rainy, sultry, steamy,

weather of winds.

Walkways and bikeways,

carpets of grass,

brightened with azaleas, hawthorn, and myrtle.

City streets with street people,

bridges for homes,

living on the steps

under the steps in the heart of culture and art.

Tall buildings, glistening, revolving doors.

Jails too.

No penalty for theft, vandalism, for rape.

Senseless violence - a bullet through the wall,

An innocent child is dead.

A heart, food, a pair of shoes is given

No thanks asked, none given.

High energy blows in the wind,

singing, dancing, exchanging culture.

polyglot of Texas,

Waltzing, salsa, polka, too.

Hope for the young,

changing, building, shifting,

learning.

Violins, harpsichords,

laughter,

short, warm, popping yuppie sounds.

Shiny cars,

Reaching for the stars.

Houston