Nephtys

[Mari]

well, I've been thinking about this a while... since Katrina actually. I really wanted to write something that encapsulated my feelings before during and after the storm as a resident of New Orleans. During Gustav when I was without power I was finally able to string together the little bits I liked and trim off all the gristle. Let me know how it strikes you.

New Orleans

My face is like your silt and clay,
Deposits from the earth of yesterday.
As periodic torrents rage and calm,
I think of the mud we’re both founded on.

Black oak branches wet with rain,
I will climb to you again.
The time for us to sink will come and go,
But when this tide is over can we grow?

My home has sighed, and truth I see.
Hello, tomorrow you won’t know me.
Change is forever present tense.
My address is beautiful impermanence.

[humble scuba]

....wow, Mari.  That last stanza hit me like a train.

[Mari]

....wow, Mari.  That last stanza hit me like a train.

Thanks!

I do hope you guys don't mind terribly, but I'm changing this bit:

But when this tide is over who can grow? --> But when this tide is over can we grow?

Needed more hope.

[Juno]

I love this - it's so heavy and from the heart.  Beautiful words and imagery.  It's like a bittersweet love letter.

[Mari]

Thanks J,
It's awesome to hear that from someone who really cares for the city like you do.