Museum Pieces

Thomas Hemminger

September 6, 2026

Many things, 

once commonplace, 

are gone forever, now. 

Use to be…

Landlines, 

typewriters,  

encyclopedias, 

paper roadmaps, 

doilies, 

flashbulb cameras, 

clothespins bags, 

and sewing machine cabinets.

Now it’s…

The starter home, 

a stay-at-home parent, 

the spare bedroom, 

a stocked freezer, 

the yearly vacation, 

music lessons, 

a family doctor, and 

a pension. 

Museums

just aren’t big enough, 

anymore. 

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published locally in Dallas, as well as in The Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge, Texas Poetry Assignment, and The Poetry Catalog. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others, and of giving them their own space and grace to grow.