| Author | Message | ||
| SplinterGroup
Advanced Member Username: splinter Post Number: 896 Registered: 11-2003 |
Lady of the Delta I didn’t know her as Daddy did upright, proud regal again half a century and a little more since Butler and his occupying “men” had gone home. No longer virginal,,,,,,, not an ingenue but healed and strong, if a little worn still vital, vivacious, warm. Healthy. Loving fun lovers love. I knew her in the nineteen sixties, love beads, protest marches, a need for peace afloat above all the psychological, philosophical, creative, and psychoactive explorations. Like any good mother she put blood, muscles, tendons, and skin on my bones. Taught me how to walk, painted her elegant Mediterranean accent onto my talk, a live and living tattooed reminder of where I had come from, my roots. I went back years ago. Left broken spirited at seeing her ghetto-ized hollow eyed harlem-ized pimps, whores, drug demons gun thugs and gang graffitti on the streets Too much pain ----- the pustules and the levees break and her Mother in comes to claim that pitiful body. Yes. Wash it. And anoint it, wash away the dried blood and the scabs, the oozing filth pockets. Still,,,,,, be still for a little. Listen. Wait. She will wake and shake off that tattered snakeskin and ressurect herself. Again. By God, Yes! one more time again. | ||
| Jim Doss
Senior Member Username: jimdoss Post Number: 1894 Registered: 12-2003 |
Alan, I can't say enough good this about this poem on New Orleans. Best lines for me were: Wash it. And anoint it, wash away the dried blood I like an open-eyed look at things (good, bad and otherwise) and you have provided it here. Along with hope for the future. Jim My books are available at http://www.lulu.com/jimdoss. Visit Loch Raven Review at http://www.lochravenreview.com. | ||
| Anastacia Donovan
Valued Member Username: sulis Post Number: 123 Registered: 03-2002 |
I know you are talking from a true sons heart. I know she will abide as all mothers do forever changing and always the same. It is a mother's way. Sulis | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 4894 Registered: 07-2001 |
Anyone who says do not rebuilt does not have a clue. It would be like not rebuilding Charleston, Boston or Manhatten. The city may wear a difference face to be safer for the next, but it must come back... A fine tribute. And I'll wage more pleasing to the author than the one before. Smiles. Gary The new, August FireWeed is ready for you to read. Go in through http://www.mindfirerenew.com/ to get to the issue in a click or two. | ||
| M. Kathryn Black
Senior Member Username: kathryn Post Number: 2743 Registered: 09-2002 |
Just wonderful, Alan. When I went there I loved it and I hope to love it again. Best wishes, Kathryn | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 1809 Registered: 08-2003 |
Alan this was a painful read. The metaphor goes deep into the heart of the poet. This is why I would not attempt a poem on this subject. It's the duende that only a real citizen of the soil can sing. E | ||
| Mudcat Miller
New member Username: mudcat Post Number: 49 Registered: 08-2005 |
Great, gritty imagery, straight from and to the heart. Only hesitation is the last line, which struck me as a bit too chirpy, but maybe that's just me. | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Senior Member Username: kathy Post Number: 2521 Registered: 12-2003 |
Alan, enjoyed your view of New Orleans. Rightly so, sometimes things must be cleaned and bettered. Well written.  K | ||
| michael julius sottak
Advanced Member Username: julius Post Number: 1652 Registered: 12-2003 |
Doc, this is fine... as a triolgy, completes this series... and only you could deliver such a fine tribute.... you need to send these to a press in NO... are perhaps, more viable in Baton Rouge. the series with this as the conclusion has everything I'd hope to see from the greatest poets |
