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Showing posts from November, 2013

Louisiana Words: Duets

The Recovery from Loss (Rachel Leann Brooks-Lafayette, LA)

When people die People cry. As the dead float up to a happy place, Loved ones stay below with a frowning face. Memories flow, As we remember and know How happy the dead were and wanted us to be. We now begin to finally see That we shouldn't be trapped inside The despair over a loved one who's died. We should smile, Have fun, And laugh a while. We should be happy. We should be free From the grasp of unhappy memories. We should laugh out loud, Be joyful, and shout For all of the world to hear That we can be happy still.

Snow on the Palmetto (Barry Sons-Berwick, LA)

The sign had to be specific.  My life was out of control. My faith had run so shallow  Doubt was all that flowed. Snow in the Gulf of Mexico,  Is all that I’d except to  Show me that You do have  A handle on all this mess. The answer, came in Your time  One Christmas I went home;  There was snow on the palmetto  I knew we weren’t alone.

Flag of Fatherless Time (Alex KingHoward Berrio-Lafayette, LA)

Blue is how you leave me desolate and tired of you coming and going close to darkness but hope has shone through to give you some hue Yellow is how you greet me warm and inviting taking the hugs and reflecting them to all those around but it all turns stale Red is my passion that I am left with boiled and bruised I still smile with those who hold me dear as the embrace beckons my soul to breath Gold tears for the priceless times we've spent together and for those we've been apart. All the time that has stood blank in my current memory when you weren't there Cut in half for there is black and then there is white

The Story of Skinny Ham (Spencer Black-Lafayette, LA)

In his plain white keds, jeans and a black shirt that barely covered his pregnant belly, Skinny Ham stepped into the empty bar. It was still hours before he had to perform, but he could already hea r the chants from the audience and the feedback from the microphone. He saw the sound guy giving him a thumbs up and his fingers gliding up and down the fret board of his guitar.  Before stepping into the empty bar, he really did experience these things. He traveled the country performing with his punk rock band. He sang, he played guitar and he traveled. He opened for big acts and eventually big acts opened for him.  But even before the band and before traveling the country with just one van and zero groupies, he didn't have a father. The music gave him something to talk to when his father wasn't there. He never was there. Forming the band, it was his best decision he ever made. When the music stopped giving him the satisfaction he needed, once they became famous and he became bored

Glory in the Clouds (Alex KingHoward Berrio-Lafayette, LA)

Caught in between a lover's gaze one simple thought should ne'er be thought flowing through her mind's love maze one soft touch should ne'er be fought for she feels so warm like sunshine orange, glowing, and love drunk laying still here, complete peace an enlightened joyful monk here we are in mid-laughter, just release feel the happiness hug your pores and push your hatred and the venom out past your skin, out past your denim celebrate in your glory, celebrate in mine as we drink wine and begin to shine complete and perfectly aligned look down to see fluffy white beneath us there is no mistake, this is cloud nine

TDOR and the Days Following. (Elizabeth Jenkins-New Orleans, LA)

Slouching on my leaf green leather overstuffed chair, feet up on the matching English Pub ottoman, my feet comfortable in faux fur lined leather moccasins, my favorite with the pink strap ties, I rest. I wear washer worn jeans, butter stained pink tee-shirt, and jean jacket of unremembered origin, comfortable after church, where church wear was the opposite of this casual dress, black leather heeled boots, black and black and black skirt, blouse and coat, but a bright blood red brocade made scarf I found at Goodwill. Is it from India? It's hung up now so it won't wrinkle, and my church clothes put away. Contrasts make life interesting. But I am exhausted after three very complicated days full of sorrow, responsibility, and Kennedy Assassination Anniversary shows; and then fantasy fun, in that order, in that sequence. All very intense. Today in church was a relief, and a rest. But it wasn't enough. I am trying to come down by immersing myself in television and the consumptio

Louisiana Words: Thanksgiving Tonight!

It Takes Two (Louis Toliver Jr-Swartz, LA)

One whole person Plus another whole person Make two whole persons Both are halved equally Feminine and masculine energy Their creativity creates the fire That all men need to survive They celebrate what is divine In society through writing For the people Speaking like their own people They pulverize what is dishonest With wit, class, crass, sass, edge One whole person Can sustain life Two whole persons Can create life

It Will Not Hurt. (Barry Sons-Berwick, LA)

I will not Shake in anticipation of your voice. I will not Trimble at the memory of your touch. I will not Shutter in longing for you kiss. I will not Die of missing you. I have no Right to expect an ounce of kindness. I have to Vomit the angst in my stomach . I have to Remember how you made me feel alive. I have to Learn to live without you. I will Love you always It will not hurt forever. 

A Lesson in Words (Rachel Leann Brooks-Lafayette, LA)

Words Words on a page Words Spoken aloud Words that carry on the history Of those no longer around History Written on a page History Spoken aloud History that carries on the memory Of those no longer around Stories Stories written down Stories Growing in value through time Stories telling of people Of those no longer around People Who once lived a life People Whose stories in which value has been found Lessons from the lives of those who have lived; Of those no longer around Lessons Lessons told with words Lessons Warning of recurrence and dangers around Lessons within the stories of the history of people; Of those no longer around

The Forgotten People (Barry Sons-Berwick, LA)

Standing at the Convention Center knowing that your government would come; they did three days later. Images gouged into my brain. All the while our fellow citizens washed away to be forgotten. Not by me ; Not by me. *************************************************** At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest US hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. It should be noted that officially, 1464 of these deaths took place within New Orleans. == Deaths by state: == === Alabama: 2 === === Florida: 14 === === Georgia: 2 === === Kentucky: 1 === === Louisiana: 1,577* === === Mississippi: 238 === === Ohio: 2 ===

What happened to just the two of us? (Adam John Schexnayder - Crowley, La)

We arrived at his apartment.   It was on the second floor.   The apartment building had a rustic, fire house sort of feel.   It was about four stories high with ruby red brick.   The side walk had designated parking spots for each apartment.   He carried my bags.   I only had a carry on.   He never did let me do much for myself.   When he opened the door the first thing I saw was the most beautiful apartment in the world.   It was very spacious.   The hallway to the living room had paintings, mirrors, and decorations that all seemed to flow together like a river of perfect design.   Chris could not have put together this apartment.   And he would never hire someone to design.   A woman definitely designed this apartment.   Actually, a woman definitely lived here.   There was a purse on the coffee table.   Before I could finish my thought, a tall slender black woman walked from the kitchen and lit up at the sight of us two.

How Do I Explain? (Jason M. Smith-Lafayette, LA)

Why do I cause you so much pain, I wish I could find the words to explain. I know that you and I belong together, You have always sheltered me from the weather. I think I do the things I do to keep me safe, Even though you say you’re here to give me faith. Could it be that I am afraid to loose you too, Is that the reason I try to hurt you? To have you leave me for another mate, Will it be my fault when you have left me to this fate? You have made me happy beyond belief, You have been the ground beneath my feet. I love you more then I often show, Please don’t let this cause you to go.

Optical Topography (Alex KingHoward Berrio-Lafayette, LA)

I can't believe the return ... the obvious slow churn of the stomach butterflies I breath in clear blue skies as the time in her eyes flies 'cause bye bye ms. american pie I'd rather my white cake red icing with a similar take in our humors and loving ways her love that feels like sun rays exploring her coves and her bays with seconds that turn to minutes and minutes that grow into days our minds have already crossed so I guess we have double-knit into a type with a name "at any cost" and for you my dear, you are my last you and I will never be lost except in each other's gaze

What Have I Done to You? (Jason M. Smith-Lafayette, LA)

How do I make up what has been done, I have hurt your mother and her son. Vengeance has broke our hearts, I should have held onto our love from the start. I have no way to make this up to you, Maybe there is still love that will act like glue. The way I have acted is no excuses, You seem to be hurt and over the abuse. To make this up I would do what ever I can do, Just to prove that I still love you. Please do not leave me to this fate, I will be here because you are worth the wait. You need your space to sort your thoughts, I will understand if you tell me to get lost. All I know is there is pain where there was love, Is it too late for us or has it flown away on the wings of a dove?

September 2nd, 1962-an Addendum to Leaving Port (Barry Sons-Berwick, LA)

Coming to me to steal away, the yellow flecks in your eyes glistening; I’ve known the look since we were six. Hidden from the world you take me into the bow of the trawler. The smell of the engine and cypress wood mixed with the smell of you; I fall to my knees, then you to mine. Decked in flags and balloons, her winning ribbon hoisted high in the wind.              The party above us to loud to hear our Love come to fruition. I dreamed it was acceptance but It was your farewell. I have loved you beyond the war that took you from me. 

Only I Can (Jason M Smith-Lafayette, LA)

I can’t go on feeling this way. I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know if you want to stay. All I can do is hope and pray. Why do I put us through this pain? Is it that I am insane? Do I need to find a stable plane? Am I just to blind to see I am a nasty stain? If I had it to do all over, Could I be a little bolder? Not putting it all on your shoulders. Then we could be together till we are older. How do you say I am sorry for what I have done? I am not God who sacrificed his only son. Can I find the place from where that love comes from? Or am I to far gone to see that I am done? Some will never tell me the truth. Some would rather see me in a pine booth. Only I can find this evil root. I know deep in my soul I will find the proof.

Palette Talk (Alex KingHoward Berrio-Lafayette, LA)

There were streamline colors coming from the tattered bristles giggling as they washed the bleach white submerging the green then, yielding veteran status wind blows faintly as paint drips boldly watch as it comes together under the big tent the main act of primary hues and saturation the side tents of oranges, violets, and greens offsetting and clashing with ferocious force Can you hear the gnash of prismatic beauty?

All Alone (Jason Smith-Lafayette, LA)

Here I sit in this house all alone, Waiting for someone to call on the phone. I wonder why this has to be, Is there anyone out there for me? Is this what fate has to offer, Or will I be empty like this coffer? Not having someone to call my own, Makes this house feel empty and not a home. Is this what makes me fill with hate, Not able to love or find a mate? To be so alone without any friends, Could this lead me to my final end? I have never felt so much hurt inside, Should I say to the world my goodbyes? I know I should be happy this time of year, I just can’t get into the Christmas cheer. I have this feeling of loneliness and shame, I guess I have only myself to blame.