Poetry Friday: Louisiana

I hope that New Orleans recovers from Hurricane Katrina sooner rather than later. Mardi Gras is coming up on Tuesday, February 20th, and it's the day of the big Rex parade in New Orleans. I went a few times as a kid, and it was Wild. Heaven on earth, but Wild.

At any rate, here is a poem by Walt Whitman, supplied by the Poetry Foundation. Whitman was, of course, no New Orleanian, but I think he captured something about the area in "I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing."

I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing,
All alone stood it and the moss hung down from the branches,

For the entire poem, click here. Read it, and tell me if it doesn't evoke New Orleans and its plight today.

Kelly H. has the Poetry Friday roundup at Big A little a today.

Comments

[Jennifer Schultz]

Susan, I'm from the New Orleans area, and went to high school in New Orleans. We went to the Rex Parade almost every year on the Avenue (sometimes we would go to the Metairie parades on Veterans Blvd. I was six months old when I went to my first Mardi Gras (for the natives, Mardi Gras is a family holiday-it's a time to get together, park your folding chairs on the neutral ground, pig out, and pass a good time.)

Riding on a float in a Mardi Gras parade is pretty awesome too. Oh, I miss my New Orleans.

[Susan]

On a float--awesome. You have to have read Nancy Lemann's novel "Lives of the Saints," yes? If you haven't, do! One of the best books about the South I've ever read--and it's ALL about New Orleans.

One of my oldest friends lives in N.O., and some other good friends grew up in Metairie. Every once and a while my parents would lure me into the car and drive (200 mi.) to New Orleans for lunch at Galatoire's. I did not understand it then, but certainly do now!

[Jennifer Schultz]

Susan-that title is new to me. I will have to find it (library doesn't have it).

When Katrina hit the city, Galatoire's opened up a bistro in Baton Rouge. A great thing for BR, which is lacking with really good restaurants (there are a few, but not many).

Have you read Poppy Z. Brite's books? They are mysteries set in New Orleans and centered around the restaurant industry there. Great fun reads.

[Susan]

Jennifer, no, I haven't read them; I must check them out.

I liken the live oak in Longfellow's poem to New Orleans because it's there all by itself. I worry that not enough has been done to help New Orleans (and the La. and Miss. coasts), who are standing there by themselves. It's a stretch, I know!