Metroplex memories renewed

METROPLEX MEMORIES RENEWED

Four full years.

That’s how long it’s been

Since I last visited the Metroplex

Of my own design and on my own.

In all the time of my exile

Elsewhere in Texas

I had never gone back

Until now.

And?

It’s still booming, no doubt of that.

The freeway construction in Fort Worth

Looked like Houston!

Still-unconnected ramps heading everywhere

To connections unsure in my mind,

Gone too long to completely visualize the plan.

And the Kimbell?

A jewel originally,

I hope the expansion leaves it

As still a jewel, albeit larger.

The Amon Carter?

Still featuring great Americana art.

Speaking of, why did the Botanical Garden

Have to be closed for an artist’s party?

Que sera, I guess.

And, hey, Ron Snider?

Was that you I saw at the Fort Worth Central Market?

It’s been nearly five years

Since I sat in the Choral Terrace seats at the Meyerson,

And you look a lot different without your timpani in front,

But it sure looked like you.

Why couldn’t I find other work in Dallas,

Or Fort Worth,

When my newspaper company closed?

Why did greedy banksters and greedy housing bubblers

Have to wreck our economy

And force me to act in fear

And become a vagabond?

Why can’t my personal connections

And acquaintances, and social networks

Get me back to the place I once belonged

To what was home?

June 22, 2013