bourbon street [a true story]

by in_extremis

Posted to Action Poetry on 2003-02-12 13:39:00

Parent message is 381190
twenty one years ago
my parents met there
and my father made sure
i would live in his shadow
[it’s his birthday today]

they sang each other songs
called “love” and “hope”
and i came shortly
[seven and a half months]
after he did

i went back
eighteen years older
sweet young drunk
on bourbon
street lights and whores
i was sick with my heritage

found the place where they
found each other
cursed every stone
porous
alcohol absorbing

stoned gypsy fever
music filled my ears