Don't Count Me Out (Louis Toliver Jr-Swartz, LA)

Nature throws a punch. It could be the effects of a choice I or someone else made. The winds gets knocked out of me. I fall in what seems like slow motion to the ground. I am disoriented. My head hits the ground and my body lightly bounces. My eyes shut.

10…9…8…

I can’t remember the last time I fell this hard. This fall seems harder than the last. I keep wondering if it is because of me or my environment. I wonder if my life is supposed to be spent fighting to be a hero or a victim. I can’t see. I can’t open my eyes yet.

7…6…

The decisions I made are coming back to me, but I also remember the decisions of others that made me react negatively or positively. This was my moment to break the pattern of building myself up and tearing myself down. It was an endless cycle. My eyes open.

5…4…

Here I was laying on the ground. I was sick of falling. I was sick of hitting the bottom. I had to get up. I had to fight for stability. I needed to see.

3…2…

This was my moment to set the tone of my life as a fighter. I will no longer let my imagination suffocate my life. I with my eyes begin to rise up.

1…

Enough is enough. I stand up ready to fight. I throw my first punch and Nature is caught of guard. Nature didn’t expect me to fight back. Nature didn’t expect me to know when to do better. I make an ally with myself. My eyes are focused.

I knock out Nature. The ref throws my arm with my eyes into the air. I win. I breathe heavy. It’s over and I now have control over things in life that I can control. I am now aware of the things I can’t control. I understand Nature better and also made an ally out of Nature. I won’t fall down again and I won’t hit the ground. I see clearly.

Comments

Ash Wednesday (Brian Falcon - New Orleans, LA)

It’s forgettable- the number of times I was called a “fucking faggot” as a kid. As a former child of god, I wasn’t expected to know what those words meant. I was taught that repentance was vital to achieving everlasting life. My momma made me go to church every Sunday. I said my prayers as I was told. But I eventually learned that Catholicism was never my sanctuary. Christianity was never my safe-haven. God never stopped the cheap shots. He never once prevented the harassment or pure embarrassment that I felt from the words of my “kin in Christ.” Now, picture me- a helpless faggot, blinded by the incandescent lights of an old catholic church. I was home from college spending Spring Break in my former hellscape. So, naturally, my momma yet again made me go to church. This time, on a Wednesday. It was Ash Wednesday. When I was among the folks from home, I felt out of place. So much that I’d imagine camouflaging myself. Like saber-tooth in hiding. But the difference? I had a far mo...

Louisiana Words Remembers Jorge Arturo

There’s nothing that hurts more than when we lose someone from our Louisiana Words family. But, the beauty of our writing movement is that the words of our loved ones live on with us. On June 20th, 2023, Louisiana Words Allstar, Jorge Arturo, moved on from this world leaving our hearts broken. He was a charismatic and talented human being. Jorge resided in New Orleans, LA and had been active on Louisiana Words for over a year. To honor Jorge’s life and work, we will be sharing his writing and live performances all Summer 2023. Please help keep his spirit alive by sharing his work. We know that Jorge’s words will connect with our readers and we hope to keep his spirit alive. Jorge’s first submission: “The Dog Show” debuted on February 6th, 2022 and is his most successful piece to date. In 2022, Jorge spent 10 weeks in the top with “The Dog Show,” “Weavers,” “They Say Love Kills, This Time It Really Did,” and “If Hell is Real, It Looks Like an Airport.” His la...

Nobody Said There'd Be a Day Like This (Sam Ray - New Orleans, LA)

I know how this should be: I've seen it, you see, In soap operas, Movies. Your eyes are closed, As if in sleep. Perfect peachy skin Atop a snow white pillow Under flawlessly matched sheets. The heart monitor, Quiet bleeps. The ventilator, A steady hiss. None of that is this. Your eyes Stuck open Seeing without sight Yellow sclera Dumb tears streaming. Tubes, taped to your face Delicate skin torn Where nurses Repositioned them To feed you To heal you You never liked being told What to do. Your whole torso spasms Spastic, Every 40 seconds. A machine Forces your lungs to act. Your hands are warm From hemodialysis But don't respond When we each grab one Give it a kiss. We spend the day Brushing your hair Telling stories Singing songs. Praying prayers. You're not there. Hospital staff Are more lovely If less pretty Than on TV. When the time comes They gently walk us From the room Close the curtai...

Search This Blog