April 16, 2011 
I returned from a conference in Chicago, hoping to see Lake Michigan as we skirted the southern shoreline. I didn’t, but twittered the experience in a series of haiku.
Passing trains and trees
The Great Lake beckons me but
Hides behind the dunes.
I seek a glimpse of glory;
The deeper hues lie beyond
Smoking stacks of steel.
Then a glint of blue,
And vision fails to grasp a
Wider frame of joy.
Marinas, harbors:
Mere shadows of vaster views.
Trains make sorry boats.
Though the shallow hills
Beneath somber, sodden skies
My vision fades. I sleep.
The dream fades. Remains.
Deeper harbor for the heart:
Going home by train.
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Wally, there’s something about traveling the rails that brings out the poet in a person! This was nice.
Here’s my reflection on riding that same train, a few months ago: http://kathyschiffer.com/riding-the-rails-what-i-learned-aboard-amtrak-wolverine-351/
I like haikus too:
My mind wanders far
Sitting in the library
Listening to rain
Grew up in Milwaukee, went to college in Chicago. Thanks for the reminder about how lovely the Great Lakes are.