Louisiana Bayou

Wandering through the bayou, wrapped in its eerie embrace. Mysterious and strange-- a magical place. Never seeming to change, even as seasons come and go, swampy waters ebb to and fro. Like long-lost daughters, gnarled courtly cypress trees rise from black, murky waters. Draped lovingly in Spanish moss, swaying softly in the breeze. Butterflies float across as gentle winds ruffle their leaves. Bouquets of wild hibiscus fill the air, mingled with sweet azaleas blooming there. Bullfrogs croak and crickets chirp-- the bayou is awash with soothing music. As dragonflies flit the cattails, elusive, water moccasins slither at your feet, or lurk above you in the trees. Just as the sun begins to sink low, comes the faint sound of a fiddle and bow. The gator comes out of hiding, rising from the dark waters below-- looking for his meal and smiling. With snapping jaws, a deer is caught, then taken below, where he will rot. The moon rises high into the night, as fireflies glow in the twilight. A voodoo queen slips into sight-- with gnarled hands, she rolls the bones. Whispering cryptic words, she softly moans, tenderly caressing her snake, wrapped around and about her neck. A coon hound whoops it up. The gnarled trees cast spooky shadows. Is that the ghostly apparition of Jean Lafitte-- who managed to escape prison and gallows? Did you bury your treasure in the water or weeds? As the wind moans softly, it’s time to turn home, where you can fill your belly with spicy gumbo. Alesia Leach © 10/2014