The swirling music stops within a moment
The banjo cuts through heavy scented air
Its high-tuned strings ring out into the darkness
High water and the flood are everywhere
The music cooled the flood of '27
Spirits rose on high from burying grounds
The levees once again lie breached and broken
Upon the deep resistance of this sound
She lacked the holy places for protection
No-one embraced her with a masterplan
A city stripped of all her antecedents
Concessionary purchase, sold again
Shadows perch on annual celebration
Jazz is heard, but playing on the screen
The smell of money dampens oleander
Homeless and poor left scattered by the sea
.
Free passage for all those with eyes averted
No Joan of Arc to lead a cry of rage
The tall oaks echo to the banjo music,
New Orleans solo, naked up on stage.
with thanks to B.D.
Hey! I remember Frank Morgan, he played the Wizard in the 1939 Wizard of Oz (giggle) . Sorry Frank I just couldn't resist the temptation (giggle) . This is a sad piece tho, and vividly painted for all of us to see the damage and horrors the sea is capable of doing. I saw news clips on the news of the damage caused by Katrina in New Orleans, it was just terrible. Anyway Frank thanx for sharing this with all of us to remind us of the rage Mother Nature has. Barbara
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Very Ture Frank, This was a very sad story. The poor were left to die. I heard on the news during the time of this disaster. It was like an apocalypse, pretty scary stuff. Take care Exceptional poem. Excellent Imagery. I loved this poem alot.