I walk around stiffly, a porcelain doll who can't bend I might break if I move too fast, something might shift and crack Flakes of skin colored ceramic fall around my ankles Something has shifted in my abdomen and tumbles around I remember being brand new, fresh out of my collector's box My features shiny, my hair with bouncy curls, my shoes perfectly fitted Now my seams are ripped and I've lost my shine Hair has straightened and slippers lost along the way My button nose has a chip and one of my fingers has been slain I don't breathe too much because I fear the disturbance it might incur I do not trust my porcelain to protect me anymore.

  Every new year of Louisiana Words, we celebrate the Top Ten contributions (writings or art) that have received the most views for the year. As of now, once a contribution reaches the Top Ten, it is not eligible to be in the Top Ten again. (*This could change in the future.*) As of 2021, we now have 30 Top Ten writings or art. We will be re-posting the Top Ten for the years 2019 & 2020 this month too, so that readers get acquainted with some our top contributors to Louisiana Words since the beginning. We are excited to have a such a diverse top ten this 2021, being that each spot is held by a different contributor! As of 2021, our top ten is as follows: 1. The Louisiana Pledge (Louis Toliver Jr – Swartz, LA) 2. Invisible Tiara (Ted A. Richard – Church Point, LA) 3. Advantages (Sasha Massey – Lafayette, LA) 4. Parent’s Touch (Barry Sons – Berwick, LA) 5. Judge Me Not (Annette Redmond Walters – Lafayette, LA) 6. United (James Leland Ludeau III – Lafayette, LA) 7. Inevitable (Mad...

  Louisiana Words is back to celebrate it’s 8th year alive! This year we will re-ignite our artistic flame across the state for the our worldwide audience to see! Louisiana Words will evolve into a platform for Louisiana statewide writers and artists to have a free platform to expose themselves to the rest of the world. This way, they can build an audience and hopefully boost support for future endeavors that may or may not be related to Louisiana Words.  In 2021, in this 8th year of this movement that’s grown into an esteemed community’s artistic body of work, we are here to stay! This is something to celebrate! Louisiana Words will start it’s evolution into a nonprofit organization. You can expect the return of our monthly feature of writers on “Mots de Louisiane,” public shows, and, virtual readings. Also, we have a podcast and a documentary in the works.  Please follow Louisiana Words often in July to learn more about who we are and where we are going in the future. O...

The pandemic didn’t put Louisiana Words fire out! Get ready and Laissez les bons temps rouler! More writers! A virtual tour! A documentary! Hold on, y’all! Louisiana is ready to lead! 

 

 

 On Les Mots Passè this week, “What I Know” by Ted A. Richard,  “Life Changes” by Kisha Kana, "The Move” by Katherine Stelly Watson, “A Distant Dream" by Taylor Coen.

  We have a great week of new content from veteran Louisiana Words writers, Iowa's Joseph Michael Benoit & Kaplan's Harvery LeBeouf!  Havery's "Out of Love" is a relatable poem about when you have had enough in a relationship. Joe's "Streets of Silence (S.O.S)" gets to the core of the effects of being an individual in thought and not relying on others or blindly following any one.

Every Mondays and Fridays, we continue the legacy of all our writers & artists with Les Mots Passè, which means “past words.” Formerly called Louisiana Words Flashbacks, Les Mots Passè keeps our catalogue of just over 1200 poems, stories, paintings, photography, music, & more!  *(Check back Sunday September 27th for an update to this page & learn more about the history of this program.)*

Have you ever looked around and saw the best in everyone and everything?  Louis Toliver Jr did. However, he felt powerless to the injustices he faced and witnessed everyday. Growing up in Swartz, LA until 2002, an African-American with a Creole background, Louis suffered racial abuse and ridicule from both black and white peers. Raised gifted and talented from 5th - 12th grade, Louis’s high school English teacher took notice both to Louis’s depression and artistic abilities. Louis discovered creative writing, encouraged by his English teacher to use writing as an outlet of expression for his struggles. 

It wasn’t until a decade later that Louis would find a real purpose to write.  2012 Louis was working on his Ph.D in creative writing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2012. He just finished serving as co-editor of ULL’s creative writing journal, The Southwestern Review, with Amber J. Lucik, who was also his roommate. The two were the first to not only design, but...

Laissez les bon temp rouler!  Welcome to Louisiana Words new family & welcome back our seasoned family!   Louisiana Words is a self-expression outlet for statewide artists for casual, hobby, or community. All Louisianans are accepted! Anyone who lives or has lived in Louisiana may submit (louisianawords@gmail.com). We accept poetry, fiction, short screenplays, short drama, photography, paintings, & musical performances.  *We do not accept political-motivated art, nor do we endorse politicians or support politics.* On December 29th, 2012, Louis Toliver Jr. made the first post on Louisiana Words, called "The Louisiana Social Pledge." Two weeks prior, The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newton, Connecticut had occurred. It was a mass shooting leaving twenty children between 6 -7 years old and six adults dead. In short, "The Louisiana Social Pledge" was a plea for society to choose creativity over violence and to also to communicate to each other better...

My gift is that I can’t stop loving you.  It is with love that our bond will strengthen and prosper.  Not just any love, but our love. For our love is unique and ever changing.  Unique is beautiful and we are just that.  We are like two doves soaring high. But there is no limit to how high we can go. Our hopes and dreams can become our reality. We are each other’s hopes and dreams.

Like a soldier I head out onto the battlefield.  Fighting for justice and equality I stand amongst those who were discarded by the masses.  Our country is filled with corruption and hatred for each other.  Yet, knowing this, I journey out into the battlefield equipped with love and a passion to help those cast aside.  Who will stand with me to speak for those discriminated against? Who will fight for the freedom to be yourself? Who will stand up against the norm as defined by conservative America? Will you?  This battle won’t be fought with an Assault rifle, though many children have bled and died because the conservative norm allows it.  Our weapons are our voice. We must prevail in leading the discussion. For we all bleed the same color and we all want the same for our family and friends.  Today’s American dream is the hope for love, respect, and prosperity.  Let’s all march onto the battlefield and win this battle with love.