III. New Orleans

From my series "World Vision" in which I address a poem to every destination I've visited.

Cafe Aulait and beignets seduce

Into a burnt orange date with Psychic Maria. 

The couple laughs as they exit 

Through bronze arches, forgetting

Their fortunes and joining the debauchery. 

They dance- steamy, fingers drawing

A swing rhythm on the small of each others backs. 

Kismet couples mistake Jazz Bar smoke

And crawfish for romance. I hope

For their sake they attach themselves

By the neck with Mardi Gras beads

Before they realize they're merely 

a painting labored over by a starving artist-

Image sold for far less than it's worth. 

Sweet, silvery saxaphones seep blues

and waltz with my synapses to keep me

On bourbon street forever. Create pockets

Of mental silence in the loudest town 

I've ever tasted. Spring break

Can only fit so much in its mouth. 

I pass a shirtless stripper. She goes home

At night and her fishnet stockings leave

A fragmented checkerboard on the inside

Of her thighs- a prettier sight

Than the bruises she carries like flowers, 

Pretending they were given to her by a lover. I realize

That romance blooms best, rose petal bruises, 

Between the cracks of a decrepit sidewalk. 

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"mistake Jazz bar smoke and crawfish for romance"

nice lines..this poem really gives a feel of new orleans...i have not been there, but a significant other was there and other friends and they really gave me a feel of it.

you capture it.."a shirtless stripper" nice description of a flasher.

but what is really cool here is how you have the speaker pass through a gate into this other world..this escape from reality...this land of drink and play and crazy.

bluesy piece

jacob

[Dana Alsamsam]

as i'm under twenty one i didn't fully experience what most go to new orleans for. frankly, i had the time of my life observing others! oh and eating. the food is beyond anything i've ever eaten haha! thanks jacob :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

geez, Dana...your writing reflects years of insight beyond your age.

[Dana Alsamsam]

that's such an incredible compliment. thank you.

[B-poet]

This a very unique and distinctive written style you've got going on here. Great work. An enjoyable read. :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much!

[Traci]

I absolutely adore this series, Dana. You bring such beautiful imagery into each piece that I feel as if I am right there, experiencing the sights and sounds.

"Kismet couples mistake Jazz Bar smoke
And crawfish for romance. I hope
For their sake they attach themselves
By the neck with Mardi Gras beads
Before they realize they're a painting
In a starving art fair. Image sold
For far less than it's worth."

Love this stanza!! This really gives a feel of New Orleans the way I imagined it.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! i decided to finally dedicate my writing to something other than my regular futile muses (love and depression). i'm really liking how it's coming along so far. it means a lot that you're enjoying reading them so far :)

[Traci]

my pleasure. i like the love and depression, can relate on an emotional level...but truly love these. you take me on a journey into places i've never been. you definitely have something special here, Dana, great job.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you :)