© 2012 Thomas W. Cummins
Archive for the ‘Haiku’ Category
A Tiny Chapel
April 25, 2012
Under yellow leaves
Stained glass-like golden light
A tiny chapel
Brick Patio
April 21, 2012From my desk drawer archive:
Moss takes over as One might who owns these red bricks Always damp, shady
© 1995 Thomas W. Cummins
I’m reminded
April 20, 2012Another blogger’s work reminded my of several haiku languishing in my desk
Mark Twain knew them well Paddle-powered beasts of Burden spewing ash
6/24/95
Things look good … until the first snowfall
January 20, 2008
Cold weather has set in, and the feeder is full. Now, perhaps, the birds will quit glaring at me through the kitchen window. There were 17 mourning doves out there this afternoon. Not as colorful as the cardinals, but I guess they get hungry too.
When I picked up our Chinese carry-out this evening, I asked the manager if business has picked up with the increased traffic. We are half way through the first month of a massive two-year disruption of our normal driving routine here in the Saint Louis area. Interstate 64/US 40 has been shut down over a 5 mile stretch for an entire year as of January 2. Another 5 mile segment will close for an entire year beginning January 2, 2009.
Detours are out of the question. There is no way around the closure … not for the usual volume of traffic. But there are alternate routes, and we are each finding those which seem to suit us best. One of the more popular roads is near our house and runs by the front door of our favorite Chinese restaurant. For now, however, folks seem to just want to get home. Looking for new places for carry-out may come later after we all relax into a new routine.
The closed highway is one of three main arteries heading into and out of the downtown area. Needless to say, that normally quiet road near our house is now very, very busy all day. Deja vu for some as that very same road was a primary route for commuters fifty years ago.
As the days go by, it seems that Saint Louis residents are more resilient than we, or the news anchors, thought. Light rail has some new riders. More people are carpooling. Many of us are finding ways to get places by driving through neighborhoods we have never passed through before. Things so far look good … until the first snowfall.
Most of all, I am grateful
January 14, 2008
In his book, The Holy Longing, Ronald Rolheiser speaks of “mellowness of heart and spirit.” Gratitude. Following today’s morning run, and most of my morning runs, a sense of gratefulness is most apparent.
Thirty years ago this March, I thought I’d try getting some exercise. That first run on a cold Iowa afternoon is not easily forgotten. A few days earlier, I had measured off a mile on the streets of our neighborhood. That seemed a reasonable first try. It seems short now. But as I stepped out the door in my new Adidas “Country” shoes, I was apprehensive. The last time I ran a mile was during gym class in high school, some twenty years earlier. Throwing up after two laps around the track was the dominant memory.
I returned from that first run not too happy. My vision was pink. I was gasping for breath. The whole experience didn’t look good. But thirty years later, I am most grateful for the decision then, and my being able to continue now. As I look back, it has really been life-changing for me.
Crestfallen
January 12, 2008
Why the idleness?
When there is so much to do
We let it happen
Inner City 6/24/95
Not a good way to begin the day. Arriving at the old city workhouse at 8:30 a.m. and prior to a scheduled prayer service, the front desk had no information on our use of the chapel area. Another group was there to use the chapel, but the paperwork for 2008 religious services was not in order. So, they went in and I went home.
While these mix-ups aren’t unusual, they are very, very frustrating. I’m not one for immediately being grateful and understanding … although that eventually is my state of mind.
The detention facility is overflowing with young men facing uncertain futures. Prayer services are usually filled with passion and emotion. Being in a pre-trial environment is quite unsettling for most of those in residence. Some are serving their short sentence there, but most are waiting to either go home or go to trial.
In a dim light... 