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Best of the Windy City
Nation’s hub and culture center,
O’Hare Airport, millions enter.
Stunning architecture sites,
The awesomeness of Frank Lloyd Wright;
Union Stockyards fed the nation;
Second City improvisation;
Lake Shore Drive, no road just like it,
Drive or bike or even hike it;
Cow that caused the conflagration;
Grant Park—winning celebrations;
Lake Michigan; Chicago River;
Summer’s swelter, winter’s shiver;
Neighborhoods from many nations,
Manifesting old migrations;
Wrigley Field, all groomed and dense—
The castle of exuberance;
Buckingham Fountain with its lights,
Spectacular both days and nights;
Oprah Winfrey and her show;
Lollapalooza—gotta go!—;
Lakefront tour boats’ gorgeous views
Of endless skyline, sunset hues;
Michael Jordan’s brilliance shown;
The resting place of Al Capone;
Millennium Park, a newer venue
On the entertainment menu;
Columbian Exhibition story,
Century of Progress glory;
Art Institute’s abundant treasures,
Full days of iconic pleasures;
South and West side clubs to cruise,
Where Muddy Waters sang the blues;
Or walk along the Magnificent Mile,
Amidst the elegance and style;
Navy Pier, top destination;
Great Hall of famed Union Station;
Museums loved by everyone;
Restaurants second to none;
Symphony of world renown,
Frank Sinatra’s kind of town.
Beauty fills eyes of beholders
In the City of Big Shoulders.
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First Responders
With bravery unmatched
They urgently arrive
While keeping thoughts detached
That they might not survive.
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Watch Me Fly
To each one who doubts me
I say: “Watch me fly.”
You think I lack talent
But check out the sky.
I know what you’re saying—
That I’m “just a hack,”
But soon you’ll be taking
Those nasty words back.
I started from nothing
So progress was slow,
But hard work now aims me
Where I plan to go.
You have no awareness
Of what I command,
But you’ll stand in line
With folks shaking my hand.
No nice words were said
When you easily could,
But someday I’ll listen
When you say I’m good.
You paid me no mind
That’s what stung me the most,
But soon you’ll be telling folks
We’ve long been close.
When you finally get
What I’ve done with my art,
You’ll laud all the skill that you:
“Saw from the start.”
So when you come knocking
I’ll see you and wave,
And furnish the graciousness
You never gave.
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Russel Winick recently started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.
Fascinating potpourri of poems beginning with an outstanding tour of Chicago from a positive perspective, continuing with an apt ode to first responders, and ending with a gracious response to those who once were condescending and who perhaps criticized our initial works. Your works are always witty and filled with wisdom–and I have said so from the start.
Thanks as always, Roy, and yes, you have. Actually, “Watch Me Fly” is an amalgam of experiences not only of mine, but several other folks I know as well – including one who got scant attention as a kid but now plays in the NBA with an $18 Million contract.
“Best of a Windy City” is what used to be called an “encomium urbis” poem — that is, “the praise of a city.” This one is packed to overflowing with details, linked in their profusion by the rhyming couplet pattern. I notice that there are only three finite verbs in the entire piece ( “O’Hare Airport, millions enter,” “Union stockyards fed the nation,” and “Where Muddy waters sang the blues”). There might be a few more, but this severe limitation on verbs means that the poem’s focus remains steadily fixed on historical facts and straight description — a list rather than a narrative.
Thanks for the interesting feedback, Professor.
Except for O’Hare, I never knew much about Chicago, but your poem provides an education. Love the “like it” – “hike it” pairing.
Thank you Cheryl — very kind of you to let me know!
“Best of the Windy City” is a toe-tapping, thoroughly engaging delight. You have sold Chicago to me with your rhyme, rhythm, and rapture. Russel, this mesmerizing poem is an entertaining tour through Chicago’s illustrious wonders. It’s longer than your usual works and showcases your versatility as a poet beautifully. I also love the short and impactful nod to those brave and selfless souls in “First Responders”, but my favorite is “Watch Me Fly” – in this age of the snooty sophist and know-it-all “expert” imparting with naff “advice”, how refreshing to hear that success trumps all. This is an encouraging poem for all those kicked in the teeth by naysayers who think more of their puffed-up pride than encouraging those who show promise. Russel, keep doing what you do – your poetry is an asset to this site… and beyond.
Thank you so much Susan. The idea for “Watch Me Fly” came from several sources. The “takedown” aspect originated with Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” and the “hungry determination” concept was from George Benson’s version of “On Broadway.” From there it was a process of gathering my own pertinent experiences and emotions, and adding to them those of several other folks I know who for the most part weren’t taken seriously at first. As you wrote earlier today, all poetry writing is pure fun, but doing this poem was even more fun than most. Compliments coming from you (and Mike) are very meaningful and encouraging to me. I’m grateful for them.
I’ve always been very wary of Chicago, but I need to give it another chance. You’ve made a very compelling case here. I also enjoyed Watch Me Fly. It’s a great lesson that culture is fickle and should largely be ignored, even once it has jumped on the bandwagon.
Thanks Warren. Chicago indeed has all of the history, culture, landmarks, etc., mentioned in the poem. It also has an imbecilic mayor who is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chicago Teachers Union, and longstanding Democratic control at its wokest, with all the lunacy that, in my opinion, creates. It’s still a fine place to visit, though, I believe.
You’re right, Russel, Chicago is a fine place, despite the dangers of different kinds that have been there from its beginning. This is a lollapalooza of a cultural catalogue, and I’ve seen and done enough in my visits to recognize and recommend some of them, while you’re pointing the way to more. “First Responders” is an ever-appropriate epigram. And “Watch Me Fly” has a charming surprise ending. It’s NOT proclaiming that the successful hard worker deserves to be self-righteously snooty to those who haven’t encouraged him. Rather, the overall recommendation is simply to provide kind attention–everyone appreciates it! But more than that, being gracious is a beautiful habit. In the face of its opposites (syrupy “likes” and silent “canceling”) you speak in praise of faithful graciousness. May you benefit more than ever by its sincerity.
Thank you Margaret, both for your kind words, and the depth of your understanding.