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Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2008-12-21 01:39 PM



Christmas Eve in N’Awlins

There were no hustling bustling big breasted
women, no, no,
not on Christmas Eve…

there were no parades, no fanfare
no savoir faire, no lady fair
not on Christmas Eve…

we walked the streets to feel replete
before we ate, to completely sate
two alone on Christmas Eve…

I did not know the lady then
for she has only come to me, now, when
she said “it’s a state of mind”

French Quarter
N’Awlins
On Christmas Eve

We walked the streets, just two of us
heels clicking in the quiet,
there, on Christmas Eve…

soft the sounds of quiet round
and ghosts did speak
on Christmas Eve

the buildings, warm,
told of stories and storms
then, on Christmas Eve

and quietly she spoke, a state
of mind awoke
then, on Christmas Eve

N’Awlins called my name to me
it sounded sweet, Karilea
in echoes of Christmas Eve

A state of mind? Oh yes, I’ll find
My where in when
there, some then,
some future Christmas Eve.

~*~

(c) 2002 from 1999

Dedicated to the Serene One...
'cause she knows I'll come back...

© Copyright 2008 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

1 posted 2008-12-21 03:51 PM


smiling wide...

Christmas in New Orleans is like the quiet before the storm of Mardi Gras.

And you dream of Christmas here and I dream of Prague. (If I can find the link for you, you'll see why.)

And um, I recommend The Soniat House. (I always recommend The Soniat House just so I'll be able to some day see the inside.)

I can't afford it, m'self. *grin*

Love you Kari! and Merry Christmas!

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

2 posted 2008-12-21 04:16 PM


http://blog.nola.com/millieball/2008/12/st_wenceslas_pragues_christmas.html

Thar ya go! And I shoulda wrote a poem, but I may be outta words. I've been using a lot of 'em lately.

And yep, if Santa is reading? I wouldn't mind a trip to Prague...

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
3 posted 2008-12-21 04:46 PM


Two of my favourite people in such a delightfully unique and "them" poem!

- Owl

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4 posted 2008-12-21 05:03 PM


Yo dear Sunshine,

My youngest boy taught Math at Loyola University a number of years ago.  New Orleans is a wonderful town, with its food, pecan pralines and all.  I was taken there a number of times when I was a child.  I love the place.  I’ve never been there at Christmmas.

Love Bobby

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
5 posted 2008-12-21 05:34 PM


You can never go to N'awlins any day that ISN'T Christmas because, if you're there, it is.
Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
6 posted 2008-12-21 08:42 PM


Sunshine - while reading this I felt as if I was there. Merry Christmas to you...

BC

steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

7 posted 2008-12-21 09:42 PM


...now, if I could just learn enough Southern to be able to prononunce the name of the city properly...it comes to life when you write about it...wishing you a Merry Christmas
amusemi
Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262
A State of Disarray
8 posted 2008-12-22 01:41 AM


You captured it delightfully...Merry Christmas...kat
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

9 posted 2008-12-22 03:44 AM


New Orleans.

A city
long lauded
(and de-lauded)
re-tawded
oftentimes, re-ordered
metrically, I mean.

N'awlins, is native parlance
although there is a certain branch
tougher than the most of us
the Channel where folks boast the most
they are from New Awl-e-yuns
just like they dice them sweet un-yun.

Y'gotta live it, to know it's true.
New Awl-e-yuns, cooks the best stew.
(But be careful where you park.)
And take the special, daily marked
on the chalkboard by the "doe"
Dey know what dey in-da mood fo
and gumbo is just less than fresh
cooked down good wit dem unyun.

Now New Or-leans, that rhymes with queens
and there's a reason that it does...
we're talking the most beautiful
longed legged men-wo-men like doves
all feathered and a sparkling
oh they know just what it means
to miss that genteel New Orleans.

They flutter long lashes and fans.

We're a city fulla quirks
and we know where we come from
by questions that we ask, to flirt,
Like "How's yamomandem" conversed.
"My mama she was at da zink,
she broke her hip but she's got kink
she's up again and makin' roux--
now tell me, how's your mom and you?"

Da Parish? Dat be St. Banaud.
(It's spelled more proper, like da dawg.)
Dey got people down that way
and dey will not be washed away-

I get my shrimps real cheap from dem.
Catch 'em at the dock, past ten.
They's lookin' for some drinkin' cash
and they will fill your ice-chest fast
for twenty, sometime tirty bucks,
depends-- on if dey had good luck.

You've really got to know this place.
It does do something to the mind.
It weaves a web of hoo-doo bind
and makes you want to come and find
that thing you felt you lost there once
as you rode their chariots
clopping horses through the streets...
N'awlins? Or just New Orleans.

It lets you choose the rhyme.  


Can't wait to meet you there.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
10 posted 2008-12-23 03:19 PM


When that meet-fest happens, prepare yourselves for an intruder! *S*

You (both) take me back... and leave me smiling. *S*

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

11 posted 2008-12-23 07:22 PM


Kari, I hope you don't mind my little impromptu musing on the subject. If it bothers you, feel free to delete it, k?

(I never know if my good intentions are taken as such. But Merry Christmas, anywhere.)


Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
12 posted 2008-12-23 08:31 PM


Loved this poem Kari, and Karen's response.  It is my dream to run into Brad, or Ellen, or her mom one Christmas down there in the French Quarter while sharing a hot "something" with K.  You are right K, I think you have to live there to get it.  Even Brad (my man) says he has an almost normal life there

Lord I can't wait until 2009 - can't wait!

        
Happy Holidays, Love Mysteria

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
13 posted 2008-12-24 08:00 AM


There are a few big busted cross dressers though?....Nice write...and replies
Merry Christmas dear lady....

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
14 posted 2008-12-24 09:09 AM


Very nice Karilea....
Anna Lyzing
Junior Member
since 2008-12-24
Posts 11
Sugar plums dance, Dreamland
15 posted 2008-12-24 11:45 AM


very cute.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
16 posted 2008-12-24 05:42 PM


Merry Christmas, everyone! I've been a little under the weather so didn't get back to read all the wonderful replies...

and no, Karen, I thoroughly enjoyed your sharing...I use to do the same thing to Sy all the time, and your doing so made me remember him...thank you!!!

I hope everyone is able to have a wonderful day with their family, their friends, or even to just enjoy the warmth of His love not only on Christmas, but every day.






JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
17 posted 2008-12-24 08:49 PM


Wonderful...Merry Christmas...James
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
18 posted 2008-12-25 01:36 AM


I don't celebrate Christmas myself Kari but I do love the mood of this piece and I do know you as being a fine writer.

So I'm gonna wish you well for always.

Haven't read your work for a long time but I do see you're still quite prolific.

Can't help myself that Toe's post made me laugh out loud....

You take care my dear lady....


Eric

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
19 posted 2008-12-25 09:44 AM




Come walk the water's edge with me.
We can both stoop low
touch living earth,
and stroll along the levee;
then standing tall
dancing free,
we'll see when
if you stretch
you still reach the living stars with me.

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