Though most of my poetry ideas come to me when I am daydreaming, my Syracuse China haiku was inspired by my admiration of their beautiful fine china and the friendly workers and plant management people that worked at this neighborhood factory.

Years ago, my mother had worked there, painting decorations on dishes. As a child, I heard how they turned ordinary clay into beautiful dishes and teacups. It all sounded like magic to me.

When I heard they were closing it seemed impossible, but as I watched the workers leave for the last time it became real. The chimneys no longer puffed like giant cigars. A few weeks later the lights went out for good.