Charmed Chaos
Musings on Life, Love, and Linguine-Poetry & Writing
Nola’s Essence
“In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home.
It was rich, almost sweet, like the scent of jasmine and roses around our old courtyard. I walked the streets, savoring that long lost perfume.”
― Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire
Cool mist spring morning on the streets of New Orleans
where mournful blues and hot jazz are always playing
Here, fragrant sugared beignets and pungent café au lait
wafts through the wet streets in the thick damp air.
In this ethereal light the city rests, feeling sacred and holy
The spires of St Louis Cathedral float in the slate gray sky
while nearby artists ply their wares without any cares
as hordes of gaudy dressed tourists go strolling by.
In the early hours this raucous city is peaceful
but for the lone ancient trumpet player
sitting on a brown metal folding chair
tattered horn case opened at his feet
a few shiny coins scattered within
enough for a cup or two or a brew
tough way to make a meager living.
We stop for awhile listening to his haunting song
letting it fill our souls with an essence of longing
for those sweet simpler times, so carefree and young
when we danced till dawn and cheap red wine was always flowing.
©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg
Author’s Note: Over at the garden, Margaret is asking us to write about our favorite town to take a stroll in. I chose to write about one of my favorites- New Orleans.
Imaginary Garden With Real Toads: The Streets of (Brooklyn)
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Charmed Chaos 
I really enjoyed this, I can feel the atmosphere of New Orleans and it makes me want to partake.
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Thank you!
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New Orleans sounds enchanting, Linda! How lucky you are to live in a place where blues and jazz are always playing on the streets.
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Thank you Kim. It was a vacation we took in 2005, and then we went back in 2014. It’s such a cool city. I could see myself living there easily.
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This is so lovely Linda! The musician in me was drawn to your description of the street musician. You brought back lovely memories of those sweet, simpler times during days and nights of music and Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill. 😊❤
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Thank you Walt!❤️😊
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You’re very welcome 😊❤
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Oh, it sounds delightful! Particularly the smells and the music.
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Thank you Rosemary!
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You have described Nola perfectly. I know so many musicians who live there. Someday I am going to spend some time in your city.
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Thank you Susie! It’s a wonderful city.
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New Orleans has always appealed to me…….I feel I have been there now, through this poem. I especially love the lone trumpet player, still there in the early hours.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed it Sherry.
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carefree and young… I have never (YET) been to New Orleans but my Father-in-law loved it.
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Thank you! It’s a wonderful city.
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The sights and sounds which you describe here are so alluring!💞 I smiled at the closing 🙂
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Thank you Sanaa!
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