Wishing for Rain

I want to be a turquoise bird
with a sandy beak and sandy legs,
coral rings around blue eyes,
salmon bands across the feathers,
white throat and white chest,
sitting like a sculpture on my
weathered, rustic picket fence,
to feel the wind blow black clouds
southward, to wait like an icon
wishing for the coolness of rain.

Instead I lay down on the couch
and fall asleep like a tired ol' bear
who just ravaged for dinner,
feeling fat as a fully fed female
on a fearless Friday night,
with nothing else to do except
drag her feet around the cave
after waking from a two hour nap.

Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

I just got back from the ACE Conference in St. Louis, MO. This is my fourth conference as a member. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to go elsewhere outside the hotel and nearby Westport Plaza. I wanted to go to the famous arch, but didn't get a chance. Making the best of the area around me, I took a lot of photos around the hotel and plaza. These are my best shots.

Plants and Flowers Outside the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

Lake with Fountain by the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

Duck Outside the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

On the lake side, there's a beautiful stream with landscaping, bridges, etc., between the Sheraton Wesport Chalet Hotel and the swimming pool. The lake is on the other side of the swimming pool.

A Vase Inside the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

Portion of a Tapestry on the Third Floor - Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

Top of a Door Frame Inside the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel - St. Louis, MO

Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

There are restaurants, shops, and other businesses in the Westport Plaza in St. Louis.

Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

The Pavilion - Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

Some Signs - Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

The Funny Bone Comedy Club - Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

A Bar - Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

I thought of my guitar-playing brother when I saw this display while walking around on the Westport Plaza. I love displays, so I took the picture.

Back Street Jazz and Blues Night Club - Westport Plaza - St. Louis, MO

I wished I had known on the second night that this blues/jazz club was so close to the hotel. I could have taken in some entertainment. But it was late and dark, and I hadn't had a chance to explore the plaza at that point. By the third day at the ACE conference, I had more time to explore, found this night club, liked the window display, and took a picture. The place was closed the third night. Shucks!