I Was Fully Capable of Finding My Own Bicycle (Taylor McCleery Sloey, Lafayette, LA)

I wouldn't expect a birch that lives in eternal summer
to understand the feeling of
holding on to that last fall leaf before it drops
but darling, that's where you have me-

Reluctantly slip stumble falling
each time serendipity face first collides me
in front of your green eyes and messy hair
I plummet

Cuz a percussionist has me beat boxing sternum to throat
and halted breath is pulsing through me like
the yellow light that silhouetted your smile
in that fountain last summer
Bursting through my chest life fireworks
and
this wasn't a war I was prepared for
but I'm clawing against wooden paneling
not to let you catch on that
every time you kiss me I'm taken aback
back to the first time, I could breath, underwater.

And its killing me to hold this tongue
bite it til it bleeds
while the world around us
amplifies sonnets in the form of mocking birds
and perfect skylines
and clicking bicycles
and....
and I am never going to tell you any of this.

Darling-
You asked if I had plans for this poetry
I don't
See- an exposed heart corrodes quicker
and a sleeve was never a safe place to wear anything
just trust that there are words behind this kiss
and they WILL fall
as words inevitably do
but I wouldn't expect that be understood
by a summer birch like you.

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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...

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