New Olreans

Found this and thought, "I'm so weird..." From a trip in 2015.

To be greeted by handsome, brightly smiling faces
To be swept off my feet into tight bear hugs
The joyous laughter that echoed throughout the airport
The tears of joy that trickled from three pairs of cheeks
Too much time has passed without my wonderful boys
My boys who in a single moment showed their deepest missing

Our smiles only growing as the day progressed
A flinging chocolate battle in the kitchen that may never come clean
Dining to their moans of pleasure, drinking too much wine
Sharing a massive bowl of popcorn with one on each side
The movie forgotten as we lost ourselves to buttery conversation

That night they tucked me into bed, crawled in beside me
Like the cream in an oreo cookie they held me close
Seeing me off into a slumber that I have denied myself
Into dreams of a longing heart, an aching soul...wake me
In the dawn of a new day, I left them to their sleep

Walked barefoot to Bayou St. John to sit by the water
On a bench, I watched chirping birds and morning runners
Engravings in wood catching my eye, 'One person thousand feelings'
Two chiseled initials encompassed by a bubbly heart
Oh! You have got to be kidding me! Of all the benches to sit on...
The boys finding me before I could dismantled the bench
Catch it on fire and see it drowned in the bottom of the bayou

At the Fairgrounds I ventured to push nonexistent luck
Learning that perhaps I'm not as unlucky as I had believed
Blowing winnings on Sazerac, Hurricanes and strong Irish beer
Laughing until my sides were so sore another chuckle would kill me
Being flirted with by brave men who were merely transparent
Cramming shopping bags with unusual, never again seen trinkets
Only able to beam as the boys called me a giggy kid in a candy store

Somehow dragged to a packed karaoke spot, the Kajun Pub
Where I was pushed by so-called friends to step onto the stage
Stumbling to the microphone, one eye open to the audience
I hadn't sang a single song since... Music had left me
But the beat began, eyes briefly closing and I found lyrics once again
A voice that silenced the crowd, brought the roof down
Energy, attitude seeping from the stage to lift people to their dancing feet
Bashful red-faced smiles, shrugging 'maybe' for excited encores

Digits tucked into my back pocket to sink in shreds in the bottom of my beer
Glowing as I watched happy boys dance, coaxed by curling fingers
Not realizing how much I have missed music, letting it touch my soul again
Cheesing from ear to ear, biting my lip as the me that I am surfaced
The packed dance floor popping with pounding sweating bodies
Three drunk fools crashing out of double pub doors into moonlight
Moonlight... Stupid moon... How I love thee you damn beautiful, disloyal...
Grumble, grumble... Hiccup! Hahaha! Grumble, grumble...

Too gone to dream, waking to a vengeful, throbbing head of pure Ugh!
The boys looking even worse than me as they padded to breakfast
Half-asleep nibbling, painful giggles over stories of our night on the town
Chiding, brotherly scowls that only made my chin lower to my chest
Apologizing without feeling sorry for trashing every number gained
Who cares how charming, how cute, how fun any of them are?
They are not... Oh, screw it! What did I come here to do? Forget or remember?

A stroll in the City Park, bathing in sunlight chased off the hangover
Unable to keep the skip from my step, caressing flowers, breathing of green
Elated to feel the song beating within my chest once again
A tender song full of wishful words of 'please', but still beloved music
It's amazing what a Po' Boy at the Parkway Bakery & Tavern can do for a person

Reviews

[Ninja Empyrean]

Moonlight, rust and green and blue. Music and brass, a collage of culture and sultry stares. Magick and shellfish. Yes, this is New Orleans, but than New Orleans was you realising that 3rd face you normally don't show the world. Comfortable in a swampy bay of similar intoxicating gems. I felt this muggy evening, a damp shirt and several feverish kisses when no one was looking. Nice! Different than other pieces of yours. I like.

[Beautiful Intentions]

Thank you dearly, Ninja! You're review outshone the poem.:)

[Ninja Empyrean]

No no. It really brought me back there. To step in the narrators shoes was different too

[Beautiful Intentions]

Brings me great joy to be able to take you places. Even if you went with a stranger.:)

[TeArra Beautiful]

Love this poem yes new olreans is a beautiful place and the people are wonderful my family is from thier I love it thier.

[Beautiful Intentions]

New Orleans has a very special place in my heart. It's almost magical there, isn't it?:) Thank you for your time and review TeArrra!

[Jibey]

This was a kaleidoscope of bright scenes, pulsing with life and vitality... It told a story and the joyful exuberance of escape into a world of music and dance, of stirring rhythms and popping lights... You and your boys... so lovely... I wanted to be the cameraman.

[Beautiful Intentions]

You would have had fun with us.:) I adore New Orleans. Well, I love all places that I have traveled... But New Orleans is dear to my heart. Thank you for your review, sweets. Am coming to return the love!

[Jibey]

I am so glad you came... I love that you love.

[Beautiful Intentions]

Aha.:) And I love that you love.