A NOLA Edition of NaPoWriMo 2024

By Daniel Paiz

From time to time this writer travels and witnesses new places and histories. On this most recent occasion, the historic city of New Orleans, Louisiana was the coveted destination for a handful of days (shortened one day due to snowstorms causing travel qualms here in Colorado). NOLA has a gravity to it I cannot recall encountering before.

It feels like a combination of history, events, and tragedies. “Haunted Then & Now” feels like the best way to sum up experiences had in this lauded and storied place.

Haunted Then & Now

A cornet and trombone pine for earlier notes already played,

before ramping up in tempo,

exiting a sense of languish and instead embracing fervor.

Those musicians about making reflective merriment

are the best historians this city within a city have to offer.

Gain and loss,

fortunes won and ideas with highest of costs,

these streets haunt one from both the early days and distant future.

Bourbon Street, Royal Street,

wherever you may wander about,

embrace you almost to a point of drowning immersion.

Commune with the dead and pay tribute to the living,

there is a massive cloud of yesteryear threatening,

ghoulish drops of sweat upon your brow,

and teasing to drench you then cool you as you meander out.

Plagued and guided by religion at the same time,

the Church is just one of many perpetrators here;

things go in cycles,

and best laid plans are obliterated stones beneath you, damp dust.

Proud of many things, reflective on many stings,

the sorrow merged with joy projects out of those who sing.

This city takes something from you,

while in return consoling you that it’ll be okay;

take a seat,

relax,

and truly savor those wonderful beignets.