Big Easy

Magnolia-honey air, heavy with heat Kudzu vines twining, knitting the city Spanish moss masks the old hoyden, and she manage to think herself pretty Shutters, and fans lazily turning keep the suffocating heat of afternoon at bay Lanais and balconies, sanctuary given Folks resting until it is cool enough to play Languid lazy persistence of mosquitoes Hands too enervated to swat them away Down Bourbon a honky tonk is whispering Birds and butterflies hide from the heat of day Bawdy houses and mansions - quaint Charm oozes from the Big Easy's pores Secrets and antiquities languish behind ancient shops with their secret doors Now - a muddy ruin, wiped from the earth No more Mardi Gras or ladies teas - or riots Just a flow muddy rubble and water rising Big Easy is dying as its chaos quiets Can she rise again as the south did long ago? Can she pick up her skirts refuse to fade? A southern lady is a strong woman - defiant Under her petticoats, Big Easy, quality-made!