Observations in New Orleans

M.K. Chavez

A man we pass on Royal Street salutes me
with a beer. A Tennessee William's quote
decorates a wall, "Hell is yourself...”

I wander through the day, weaving through
the cites of the dead, and drink.

On Bourbon Street a dark-haired girl,
in an off white dress
rolls a crystal ball and twirls
it on the tips of her fingers. She's magic,
and the sea of tourist is swallowing
drinks, and beads are flying and men
are barking.

I watch the constant hustle
of brown-eyed and docile mules
pulling buggies on the street.

A man playing guitar smiles
at me through black teeth
and a fortune teller tells
me what I already know
but I pay him anyway. I drink
and laugh, and drink, and drink


M.K. Chavez is a regular contributor. You can see more of her work at

www.littlebrownsparrow.com