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This Poem was Submitted By: Karen Ann Jacobs On Date: 2005-09-08 10:56:10 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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New Orleans, Long After Katrina

Can we skip to the part where we’re sitting on a balcony, sipping absinth and laughing at the tourists’ tits and bead boys? Let’s fast forward through these nights of worry where in our dreams we bail water with rickety buckets, while mourning the losses; humans, animals, and places. How about we go right to The Fatted Calf on St. Peter’s street? We’ll embrace Art and his family, catch up on events, hear about their exile, and we’ll all agree that it’s good to be home. Can we skip to the end, past these days of seeking solace in that Katrina’s blow was only glancing, comfort from the help flooding in, and hope because ghosts always live on in New Orleans.

Additional Notes:
This poem is dedicated to Art, Damien, and Laura of "Yo Mama’s", and everyone else blasted by Katrina, physically and/or emotionally who are working to get to the "good place" again. Personal Note: I've been lurkingly reading your poems, but because of my work schedule I haven't been able to devote enough time to being involved around here. I miss it, and I'll go back to being good after a while. Ya know, I think TPL is addictive. Ya know, like some folks start smoking again when things get bad, I want to come here. Hmm. Hugs all!

This Poem was Critiqued By: Elaine Marie Phalen On Date: 2005-10-06 20:55:03
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Karen!! Long time, no see. This poem has punch and I like the exact detail; it takes me right into the city itself, with the familiarity of someone who knows it well. There's even a bleak sense of humor, as in L4. Without that, nobody would be able to face the return and rebuilding. After the bailing and the mourning will come, inevitably, the reunions and recollections. These, I'm certain, are therapeutic and also necessary rites before moving forward. How can grief be assuaged if it's not allowed to be expressed, examined and then buried? How about we go right to The Fatted Calf on St. Peter’s street? We’ll embrace Art and his family, catch up on events, hear about their exile, and we’ll all agree that it’s good to be home. The diction is simple, conversational ... like the people it represents. The speaker is Everyman, Everywoman, resident of New Orleans and currently down on his or her luck but not broken. "It's/good to be home" is a bit ironic in that "home" may well have disappeared, but it's a concept more than an address. "Katrina's blow was only glancing" seems somewhat incongruous in that it appears to have been a more direct hit than that, but to a survivor, memory can become selective and it's easy to rationalize. One must make sense of the whole thing, after all. Luckily, Rita didn't strike head-on -- what a horrifying aftermath she might have made! The ghosts in your conclusion are an appropriate reminder of both the recent dead and of the city's long and colorful past. I once read the most wonderful story, "On the Downhill Side" by Harlan Ellison. Its theme is love between two ghosts in N.O. and if you've never read it, I recommend finding a copy (1972 --- not all that easy). Your poem makes me think back to that piece. A moving and compassionate read. I haven't read too many effective poems dealing with this disaster, but this is one that I definitely do like! Brenda

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jillian K Sorenson On Date: 2005-10-05 01:40:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.60714
Karen, nice piece - I'm sure everyone wishes they could just fast forward and see it as a "commercial break" of sorts. Nice detail throughout this poem. I think absinth should have an "e" on the end of it, but I could be mistaken. Otherwise flawless. Gives the impression of someone who knows New Orleans well - perhaps as it will never be again.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-09-16 12:20:04
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.80000
Karen, This is such a hopeful peice, it's structure good, the verbiage flows easily leading your reader on into the depths of your work. The thoughts in this are uplifting, would it that all could view this event as through your eyes and pen. Thank you so much for offerring a different take on the situation, one that lends to the forward and not being conquered by natures events. Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: Gerard A Geiger On Date: 2005-09-09 14:13:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Dear Karen; Thanks for the optimist point of view. N Orleans is temporarily down by a situation out of its control, but it is not out... nor has it lost its verve. Thanks for this positive work. your friend, Gerard

This Poem was Critiqued By: Latorial D. Faison On Date: 2005-09-09 13:35:38
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Karen, Thanks for writing this poem. I loved it. Yes, it would be great if we could skip to the end and fast forward to the time when everything and everybody will be right again. What a wonderful thought. You give hope to the entire situation just by penning these words. It's so important for those victimized by Katrina and for all of us to see the light at the end, the hope through the chaos. This is one of the worst things I've ever seen in my life, and I'm glad that people like you will write to document this moment in history. Because years later, readers will want to know . . . I'm glad that you have put a spin on the situation. Like I said, you give me hope. Thanks for sharing, and I look foward to reading more as time allows. You're right. TPL can be addictive, but I love it. Latorial www.latorialfaison.com

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2005-09-08 14:44:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Kay-Ren: Here’s every reason why you should come back to us. So much about this poem is personal and vivid, which makes it consoling. The overwhelming news stories make us tune out, from emotional overload. You let me tune back in, learning a little of someone’s story in your additional notes. Listening to you dialoguing with another, that other familiar with New Orleans. I never got a chance to know it. It’s hard to grieve something unknown. That it will never be the same is an understatement and something we hear all of the time. But maybe its real essence, its people and also the people who love it as you obviously do, can resurrect the most important things about it – the “humans, animals, and places.” Specific names, like “Yo Mama’s” and “The Fatted Calf.” Maybe, especially, Art and his whole family. Many times in a personal crisis, tragedy or emergency I’ve wanted to “skip to the part” where I know normalcy’s ahead, reprieve from the storm. Can we skip to the part where we’re sitting on a balcony, sipping absinth and laughing at the tourists’ tits and bead boys? There’s your trademark humor. Spicy and spot on. Can we skip to the end, past these days of seeking solace in that Katrina’s blow was only glancing, comfort from the help flooding in, and hope because ghosts always live on in New Orleans. The solace-giving last stanza makes it, IMO. The reminder that “ghosts” (spirits) always “live on” in places we love, in New Orleans, so known for its link with supernatural elements. I didn’t mention your poetics yet – and I have to say I especially enjoy what I’m going to call, for lack of a better description, a kind of ‘journalistic’ style with a heart, at least in this poem. To the point, specific, pictorial, emotionally riveting. Nice assonance, for example, in “solace/blow/hope/ghosts” throughout the piece. But mostly, it is memorable to me for the flash of hope it brings. And your personal style, much missed by me. More like this, please! Yes, this place is addictive. Glad you find it so, too. Big hugs, Joanne

This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2005-09-08 13:03:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.83333
Karen--Starting with the title, this offering is positive in its hope for the future of this legendary city. Logical and sequenced strophes employs a comforting and conversational style vernacular which exudes confidence that the monumental task of rebuilding will take place in spite of any obstacles. Terrific ending enhances this timely, and gra- ciously presented piece; "Can we skip to the end, past these days of seeking solace in that Katrina’s blow was only glancing, comfort from the help flooding in, and hope because ghosts always live on in New Orleans." Thanks for returning and sharing with your fellow TPLers this "Inspiration Tribute." Well done. TLW

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