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Open Poetry #36
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where mockingbirds used to sing
| Open Poetry #36 |
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where mockingbirds used to sing |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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I should have given credit for the title immediately folks, mea culpa? I derived the title from the lyrics of this legendary song: "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?" by Eddie DeLange / Loise Alter "Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans I miss it, each night and day The longer I stay away Miss the moist covered vines The tall sugar pines Where mocking birds use to sing" Made famous by Louis Armstrong. OH. Billie Holiday too. OH. grin...we could go on, eh? many, many more... * * * Her streets aren't curved like London's are although her housing fits the palm of the swerve of Paris tricks and bits of Spanish spanked an urge of hammering the iron wrought and stucco flashed just like a whore of brick-by-brick-by-brick - like tits and mosses grow that thick - the smell is not so much that different-- the scent is almost quite the same I sniff decay of yesterday; and were her feathers in array her sequins sparkling display and hems of lace dragged through the piss and clop-clop-clop of buggies kiss the rhythms of the night away as mimes described the silent sway-- if the mimes had stayed, but they had fled the square to Jackson's scream. Her balconies dream for the green of faggot flags of fawning fern and oh-my-god the majesty of N'Awlins royalty scrolling purple, green and gold and shuttered doors that usedta be glory hammered -- shut and sold. Legend said that this would be a city lost beneath the sea... But as I walk the streets I hear harmonica and steel guitar as I pass the grocery open here on Royal Street I hear the notes of black men scream that they are being sold again-- this time as a memory and "mammy" is commodity "Let the good times roll" they sing for quarters in a hat they laugh and superglue them on their soles "where y'got dem shoes?" they ask. "Y'got dem on your feet" they sing and take the five or ten for laughs-- the joke of poverty, and that's the punchline of economy here in New...N'Awleans. [This message has been edited by serenity blaze (10-13-2005 09:14 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2005 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
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StevenS Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945L. A. (Lower Alabama) |
Gutsy! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
If there is a poet to breathe life into a city again it will come upon the wings of this song in flight... Libraried... with search lights.... "There's a reason they call God The Creator - he sides with talent." Julia Cameron |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
so very good, dear friend, to see your words in these pages of blue again... welcome home K. Missed you. live for today, |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
you leave me flabber gasted with eyes wide open, mouth flapping astonishment in the wind...Gwad Lady your a great artist! This was fantasic...more, more!!!! Happy to see you writing again.... |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Sheeee's baaack!  Raw and real... You sing the N'Awleans blues like no other.  God bless you all! Linda |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
"here in New...N'Awleans." The closing line here says it all Serenity. New...N'Awleans!!! And if anyone is going to breathe life back into that city.. gawd let it be you!!! K, no one sings the blues like you! Brava!!! Love ya lady~ ~Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.~ |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Louie and Lady Day would be proud. |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
and the lady will never drown her lovely she only swims for some easy time she will be tall again in her long gown doin the jazzy _________ you are city skin ms...you are one of her tattoos.. enjoyed ya... |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
I have always enjoyed reflecting on lifetimes in New Orleans. Thanks for the memory jog!  |
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Nightshade 
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Legend said that this would be a city lost beneath the sea... But as I walk the streets I hear harmonica and steel guitar as I pass the grocery open here on Royal Street I hear the notes of black men scream that they are being sold again-- I am once again in awe of your artistry. I am once again more than proud to call you "friend." Hugs, Chrislane Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Keep it coming, Karen, if not to heal her, to heal yourself and others caught within her afterglow.  |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
That's it! Do you have any idea how good this weather has been for your mind? What you are painting the pages of blue with is perfection to eye and mind. This would make a fantastic song and I can hear several artists in my mind singing it. Try sending it out - betca they would love it as much as I do. There are just too many lines in your writing now for me to pick a favorite, but gawd, I love a witch with spirit! As I said to you on a Yahoo message, when I saw Mardi Gras parade was still going on I cried, and said to myself, "Self, I would be proud to be a resident ofn a city with a heart and soul like that!" Blessed be the souls of New Orleans. |
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Angelheart Senior Member
since 2005-09-08
Posts 754Jacksonville,FL USA |
such a beauty to read, and some things to think about on here, thanks for sharing. Poetry can get you very far |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
If they don't give the keys to what's left of N'Aleans to you I dont' know why. 'Cause you breath new life in to what was and surely will be again. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
serenity You captured the feelings of creation. Excellent |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Just keep bowling me over baby.. your style of write is incredible, the form the structure the rhyme, the line breaks... just masterful...and a keeper  m xx ~i want for myself your trembling~ |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
Amazing style and you've done well with it. I love it  |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Serenity, Lady, the ending, the shoes, the patches! You hit my nerve endings with those words of yours! Stunning, yet so sad, but at least there are patches. Needs more, huh? I've thought a lot about you after Katrina, but didn't know the right words to convey anything intelligent or with wisdom and counldn't find words that showed understanding. I just can't fathom the loss. I guess your poem is just the starter I needed to tell you whatever it is that I just told you! Like I said it before, ya hit me nerve endins, darlin'. cathy |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
thank you all I sure miss my music 'bout now. Although my harddrive was recovered (it was under stuff that was under stuff) I'm afraid my speakers, subwoofer, was damaged. I guess I'll just have to SING, now.  Oh God/dess help us all... thanks for reading and mindful prayers sent out to all who are feeling the wrath of earth changes.  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
"Legend said that this would be a city lost beneath the sea... But as I walk the streets I hear harmonica and steel guitar as I pass the grocery open here on Royal Street I hear the notes of black men scream that they are being sold again-- this time as a memory and "mammy" is commodity "Let the good times roll" they sing for quarters in a hat they laugh and superglue them on their soles "where y'got dem shoes?" they ask. "Y'got dem on your feet" they sing and take the five or ten for laughs-- the joke of poverty, and that's the punchline of economy here in New...N'Awleans." A very strong write, Karen! And multidemensional.....so full in capturing what must be feelings of the moment. You honor life....you honor those harmonia players.....and you honor your City. love ya lady.......jojo |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
are you saying you need music? *evil grin* just holler . . . |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
naw...I think I just need new wires or sumpthin'. (As much as I know 'bout this stuff I may very well have it set up wrong, too.) sigh...they stripped the wires on my surround sound (tv) too.  The only thing worse than an accomplished thief is a messy one. It's you people who keep me sane. (That's right, YOU ALL are responsible for my mental health. )sheesh. grin ta for now! |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
Wow. Bold and beautiful. You're amazing. I'm so glad you're okay... still in my prayers. Always, Alyssa Hupomeno. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You KNEW this would call me in, didn't you? *S* How glad I am I heard the invitation... this is magnificent! |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I fear repercussions if I keep bumping..but.. what the hell. I can take it."too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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