“New Orleans, Mad City”

New Orleans, mad city

What do you get for your penny?

I see the shackles on your fortress

They have opened gates to the sheep–

Yes! And souls of many!

New Orleans, mad city

Which thieves will you invite?

Old woman, your youth is over,

Will the torches shine tonight?

Now the shadows come: the shadows go–

Yes! And the souls of many!

New Orleans, mad city

No blood on the face!

That canvas for gold and fame;

The blood on your thin feather

He gave only free easement:

Yes! For the souls of many!

#844 10/9/05

author’s note [brief commentary]: “Perhaps New Orleans will survive as it struggles to rise from beneath the iron waters of the tyrannical storm. When the future of the South sees this city bearable for women and children to live in again, then, it is up to them and the pride, integrity and tolerance of this nation willing (both white and black) to reach out and help: stop trying to push your way through the crowd, do what has to be done, good! Or maybe it’s just too much afternoon”.

a halo to hell

The Vampire beats, open-eyed orange and cold:

From his crypt at twilight he comes to collect

the poison in his blood and the marrow in his bones;

Brings him back to Hell at night Down the Rivers Hades

Only to the docks like this, perfume for the horde of demons

And a halo for the groom! Nothing for the goblin or the witch

And for the Vampire Bat: Vacation from his crypt!…

#845 9/2005