Fragments / Chicago / Winter 2006
Today, Sunday, Dec 17, 2006, Chicago
Sees the performance of Daniel Barenboim‘s
„The West-Eastern-Divan“ youth orchestra. Go!
A young man, serving in the Navy, joins
A group of nuns, skating in the Millenium Park.
He is careful not to fall and break one of his joints.
The little dog on the old man‘s arm begins to bark.
He is carried across Michigan Avenue. Snow lies high.
In a wheelchair it‘s not easy to get home before dark.
At the Christkindlmarket ‚Under the Picasso‘ people try
To slurp hot ‚Gluehwein‘ from red mugs, shaped like St.-Claus-boots.
„Do I buy this Southamerican scarf? Or this oilpainting of the Loreley?“
On Dec 1, 2006, the weather has one of its famous moods.
Snow comes down in tons. O‘Hare is closed down.
To come to Chicago you have to find your own routes.
At the wintry, dry Buckingham Fountains two cops on brown
Horses chat with a boy and his dog. The horses stretch
And give the dog a nose-to-nose-kiss, saying: „You‘re a nice clown!“
It‘s warm inside the J.R. Thompson Center. A homeless boy tries to catch
Some sleep. His head lies on a littered table.
„On time“ is what you can read on his baseball-cap-badge.
At the Harold Washington Library a blind lady is not able
To go to the restroom without help. I assist and we talk.
When I say „good-bye“ her answer is affable:
„Welcome to the United States!“
Snow falls, wind blows, I decide to go for a walk.
- by Maria
Picture by H. M.
