AUNT LEREE AND UNCLE LOUIS is lyrical poem about the deep South in Louisiana and my constantly fleeting procession of vague and stuffy and essential memories of my Aunt Leree, Dad's only Sister, and her husband, our Uncle Louis, who owned a French Restaurant in New Orleans for many, many years....

AUNT LEREE AND UNCLE LOUIS

So exotic her black hair and his French laugh
We heard so clear: her wheelchair, shy
Southern smile -  the softest voice we ever heard....

Sway deep Magnolias deep green leaves an'
Blossoms thick an' white as snow
I didn't know most anything - The South was
More I didn't know...

So different their dark livin'room
With powdered sunlight shiftin' blinds
An Heat like hands pressin' upon our
Tan hot skin and Yankee minds

Sway water snakes in currents deep
Where we could not see down at all
Alligators on the banks - the Spanish Moss
A solid Wall...

Against the Past where Dad was born
Back-water handsome deep south boy:
I still am wishin' Gardinias, my Aunt Leree,
My Uncle's Joy....