You were so certain when you got tucked into bed every night that the fairy tale stories rocking you to sleep would be waiting around the corner; waiting to cradle you in their ancient hands and see you through to your happy ending. And it was a naïve smile that learned to settle on your lips as you watched pieces of that magical story get chiseled away, and reshaped, and often even annihilated by the road put out in front of you. So maybe the mother didn’t survive. Maybe the father was too preoccupied with his own grief to remember the teary-eyed child begging him for for safety.   Maybe you didn’t grow up beautiful. Maybe you didn’t grow up strong. Maybe when you sang songs they were out of pitch, and no forest critters came soaring to your aid. But, if nothing else, the fairy tale promised romance, you assured yourself – a savior atop a white steed who braved through the tragedy and saw someone worth saving on the other side of it. And you were so desperat

    Not tattered nor torn by standards of normal bruises, just wrinkled, singed, and coarse. An unsettling, yet prudent roadmap blended into soft chocolate grooves in which I blithely endorse.   Years of lingering soreness, a phantom discomfort, that would forever imprint beyond a physical scar. A mesh of serpentine and smooth pathways of soft caramel hues often leaving me in admiration, “Maybe I am bizarre.”   Quivering with spasms, I gaze at the skin that covers my thighs, the cinnamon patterns of polka dot and lace. Skin that transformed and moulded my hands, ensuring the skin on my fingers would stay in place.   Faced with many questions about the texture of my skin, My pale white palms and how the patterns on my arms swirled. Ears and face covered in clubbed knots. A misfit amongst a normal world.   The fire burned and the smoke consumed, and before my four-year-old eyes, life was a flash. Yet the fire burned, and the

  Jorge Arturo resides in and represents New Orleans, LA and has been active on Louisiana Words for over a year. His 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." Jorge has also performed at Louisiana Words Live: New Orleans 2, Halloween, Allstars 2022, Mardi Gras Rehab , and will be featured writer at our next show, Louisiana Words Live: Summer Vibes ! Let's all show Jorge love and share his work this May! Follow Motsdelouisiane.com for updates on his legacy.

  Our next live show in New Orleans is coming soon! Join us for Louisiana Words Live: Summer Vibes on Sunday, June 18th at the Allways Lounge & Cabaret @ 6:30pm . The show will feature Louisiana Words Allstar: Jorge Arturo and is hosted by J. Michael Norris with special guest, creator, Louis Toliver Jr. The show is open for casting! If you are interested in reading at the show and you have submitted to Louisiana Words before, please contact us for a feature spot at louisianawords@gmail.com . If you are new to Louisiana Words and would like to read at our next live show during our open mic, you may also contact us via-email to claim an open mic spot. We will also have ask for open mics at the beginning of the show. Spots will fill up quickly, so contact as soon as possible.

  Louis Toliver Jr., creator of Louisiana Words, gives insight on how to join Louisiana Words (LouisianaWords.com) at the last live show, "Mardi Gras Rehab" in New Orleans.