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new orleans
Alexandria Michelle Red
record store jazz riffs duel,
coltrane’s a love-supreme-a love-supreme-a love-supreme a
love-supreme-a love-
against professor longhair’s every day, every day i have the
blues, when you see me worried, baby, because it’s you i hate to
lose
they fondle the looky-loos serious shoppers old timers
the pace of this city infects all to meander at a crawl
neon lights blink
in each window
entice all who pass
their curiosity grows
"do you have this bourbon street t-shirt in black or red? can these
beer mugs-shot
glasses-champagne flutes be shipped to my home? which
one of these hot sauces are
made here
in louisiana?"
at the end of the evening shop
owners close doors
shutter windows sigh a long breath remember drink mint juleps
on their front stoop
they leave,
deposit nightly receipts
trek through narrow streets
of the quarter
finding home
a cool private courtyard
fountains chuckle
camelia roses annoint the air
with syrupy aromas
they sit, relax
pour another glass of something strong but sweet
New Orleans Shutters November
2005. |