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The Crescent City

The Crescent City

Ancestral roots are calling me
to Crescent City near the sea.
A city with its past displayed
where long ago the pirates played.

The glowing lights of Vieux Carré;
Café du Monde’s belov’d beignets,
and Creole foods prepared with flare;
it’s been so long since I’ve been there.

The Cajuns live life with pizazz 
and everywhere sweet sounds of jazz.
These dreams are where I long to be,
this Crescent City near the sea.


December 19, 2022

Vieux Carré (pronounced VOO kah-RAY) translates to “old square “ in English. The French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, is referred to as the “Vieux Carré.”

Beignet (pronounced bin-YEAH) is a French pastry.

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Kelly Deschler Date: 2/13/2023 8:03:00 AM Never been to New Orleans, but your wonderful poem takes me there... An excellent write and tribute to one of the greatest cities in America! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 2/15/2023 2:07:00 AM Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Kelly, I’m glad I could take your mind on a little trip. John

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 1/29/2023 6:33:00 AM Love the place - your poem brings back old times before Katrina! Thanks John! :) Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/31/2023 6:47:00 AM Thanks for sharing your comments, Linda, I'm glad you enjoyed it. John

Kenneth Cheney Date: 1/24/2023 11:26:00 AM Nice tribute to a vibrant city. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/25/2023 5:40:00 AM Thanks, Kenneth, I appreciate it.

Hilo Poet Date: 1/22/2023 8:04:00 AM My last 'bin-YEAH' was my only time there in the summer of '78. Thanks, John, for its memorable return--nicely done and with my compliments, Aloha William Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/25/2023 5:38:00 AM Thanks so much, William, I appreciate it.

Margarita Lillico Date: 1/22/2023 5:59:00 AM I loved it and learnt about it, Louisiana purchase it is! C’est la vie douce! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/25/2023 5:37:00 AM Thank you, Maggie, I'm glad you enjoyed. Thanks for hosting the contest.

Beata Agustin Date: 1/21/2023 11:38:00 PM Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... making me vicariously visit the place, too. God bless you. Login to Reply

Kim Rodrigues Date: 1/11/2023 2:41:00 PM Gorgeous write! Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/12/2023 2:38:00 AM Thank you, Kim.

Anne E Sangster - K Date: 1/8/2023 1:10:00 PM Sounds absolutely wonderful John and all wrapped up in perfect rhyme. A most enjoyable read for me today ~ Cheers Anne :-) Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 1/9/2023 2:16:00 AM Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Anne, I’m glad you enjoyed it. John

John Watt Date: 12/28/2022 10:46:00 AM I've not been to NOLA in 17 years, and your beautiful poetic postcard has me itching to go back. I love the people, the food, the architecture, and the jazz and dixieland music playing everywhere you go. An American treasure. I hope you can visit there soon. Wonderful poem, John... as always I love your imagery and craftsmanship. Warm wishes for a happy new year ~ John Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 12/29/2022 7:46:00 AM Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, John. I'm glad you enjoyed my reminiscing about New Orleans. Happy new year to you and yours. John

Ellen Gwaltney Bales Date: 12/22/2022 6:23:00 AM John, thank you for your encouraging words for my poem. I just read your Crescent City and I love it! I lived in the City That Care Forgot for three years from 1984-87. There’s no other place like it! Your poem is very visual. Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 12/22/2022 6:40:00 AM Thank you for your comments, Ellen. I must admit I'd never heard that nickname for New Orleans. Though I've never lived there, I've always felt like New Orleans was my second home, my dad was born and raised there. Happy holidays and welcome to Poetry Soup. John

Brandy Nicole Date: 12/19/2022 6:21:00 PM In dreams, anything is possible. You should close your eyes and imagine you're there, my sweet friend. That's exactly what I'm doing. This is beautiful in every way. Many wonderful blessings to you, this holiday season. :) Hugs, Brandy Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 12/20/2022 2:54:00 AM Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Brandy, I appreciate you. I actually dream of being there quite often. Perhaps we will meet in our dreams on the streets of the Vieux Carre. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Hugs, John

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/19/2022 5:47:00 AM A place I'd love to visit John, you captured the scene well. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and good health and happiness in the new year. Tom Login to Reply John Gondolf Date: 12/20/2022 2:31:00 AM My dad was born and raised in New Orleans and it’s one of my favorite places to visit though I haven’t been back in nine years. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, Tom, Merry Christmas to you and yours. John