Answer Man has his own question: Is that a cloud?

I’m The Answer Man. I think I’m entitled to a question.

A few weeks ago, I ran a 5K race that started and ended at Farmers Park, 2144 E. Republic Road.

After the race, I saw something strange behind the apartments, the farmers market and the Metropolitan Farmer, a restaurant.

Down a hill and next to a garden was a wood pavilion — open on two ends — with a tin roof. Hovering above was what appeared to be a man-made cloud.

Or was it a thought balloon?

Or whipped cream?

I went to work, returned and discovered that it is, in fact, a man-made cloud.

It’s also a work of art — an interactive sculpture called Cloud House, which was opened the day of the race, according to Chelsey Mabry, a leasing agent for the 58 apartments nearby.

Cloud House is the work of artist Matthew Mazzotta, of Massachusetts. It’s designed to be a place of relaxation.

It is. When I returned Wednesday I sat in one of the two white wooden rocking chairs, which triggered rain to fall from the cloud onto the tin roof. The sound was peaceful.

The water also softly fell from the tops of the two side-window frames — which do not have windows — onto window planters filled with, I think, snow peas.

It was a cool experience. Being curious, I picked up the rockers to look for whatever it was that triggered the downpour. I didn’t see anything.

My time at Cloud House was a relief from newsroom stress and the shrill voice of my editor, Jess Rollins, and his incessant: “Hey Pokin! Wake up!”

Who needs that kind of harassment?

As a result, I’m thinking of taking my laptop to Cloud House to write my next column. I’ll be able to listen to tranquility and, perhaps, write a couple of poems, too.

Namaste.

Keep those questions coming. Send them to The Answer Man at 836-1253, spokin@gannett.com, on Twitter @stevepokinNL or by mail at 651 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO 65806. These are the views of Steve Pokin, the News-Leader's columnist.

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