Windy Day ~~~ in New Orleans
Windy day in New Orleans. Severe Storms Tonight. Tornado possibly.
Excitement. Guilt for chaotic pleasure. External to me. Waiting, listening, eating
Maple Oatmeal, a cigarette, and New Orleans Bywater Bourbon Tea.
The Mississippi is usually chatty, end of the day. But not today, not to me.
Gathered her waterfowl under her wings for the river captains as a warning.
Windy day in New Orleans. Severe Storms Tonight. Tornado possibly.
The street litter is flocking tonight, from trash can to trash can, stressfully
She has closed her bars on the Westbank early. No further purchasing
Maple Oatmeal, a cigarette, and New Orleans Bywater Bourbon Tea.
I lean into, and hold hands with, the streetlight. Quiet is the night, quite are we.
I point and whisper, the trees are preening the leaves from their branches nervously.
Windy day in New Orleans. Severe Storms Tonight. Tornado possibly.
I inhale a drag deeply and my exhales of carbon monoxide dance and flee.
Anxiety starving sweetly. The eyesore of the eye’s storm pauses our thinking
Maple Oatmeal, a cigarette, and New Orleans Bywater Bourbon Tea.
Walked in and out and in and out. Do I move the plants and shoes inside with me?
Will the children’s toys and workmen’s tools still be there in the morning?
Windy day in New Orleans. Severe Storms Tonight. Tornado possibly.
Maple Oatmeal, a cigarette, and New Orleans Bywater Bourbon Tea.
—Cid Galicia
illustration by Happy Burbeck
