CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS

By Angela S. Pelzer

December, 2005.  The City

there are no birds

no dogs barking

no footprints in the morning dew

a stillness….

feels like the calm

before the storm

the homes are gone

the old, the weak and the strong

tombs outnumber them

no one is exempt

a stillness……

"once the storm passes, we are safe!"

then the floods come

a breach in trust

we thirst in contaminated waters

there is no news, no electricity

no one is spared from the stench

a stillness……

what is next is uncertain

we are one with this community

what is there is here

and is within us all

a stillness………

find the light

pour the coffee

fry the beignets

bake the bread

play the jazz

heal the stillness.

Copyright, 2005, by Angela Pelzer.  All Rights Reserved.