Love Notes

Dear New Orleans,

Please forgive me for taking you for granted. I left you high and dry without so much as a goodbye in search of greener pastures. Yes the grass was greener, but not necessarily better...for me. How I missed the taste of sweet pralines and spicy jambalaya on my lips. The seductive sway of your hips dripped in the soulful tunes of the jazz beats blaring from the Congo Square. The way that you use to tease me with your beauty and old southern charm. No one has ever been able to satisfy all of my senses quite the way you do. I miss the smell of you La Nouvelle-Orléans and I promise not to ever forget your birthday,May 7, 1718. Wrap me in your rich strong history like you use to...oh how I miss that warm embrace. How every step I took thru your boudoir that you have named, French Quarter, revealed the sweetness that you had to offer and the pillow talk that we shared laced with stories of hardship, heartbreaks, triumphs and success while jazz filled the air. I remember how old Mr. St.Charles would take me for a ride in his beautiful mobile. I loved the sound of his squeaky breaks and how he would sway from side to side while the warm summer breeze filled the car. Hmmmm wish I could go for a ride right now. No other has ever loved me quite the way you do. What a foolish girl I've been to think that there was anything in this world better than you. I really do miss all of my old friends, Preservation Hall, St. Louis Cathedral, Riverwalk and his crazy cousin Lakefront. How are they doing? I heard that they had some hard times back in 2005 when cousin Katrina rolled thru town. What an evil bitch she was. She robbed you my beloved and even had the nerve to take my dad with her. My heart broke watching you drown in all dat wata.... I prayed for you my love each and every day and I know that one day the hole that Katrina left in your heart will heal. I know that times got a little harder, when she turned around and sent her big brother BP to smear your beauty with his slick, black graffiti. But at least you got to wiggle a little with Brees and dem boys game to town and brought you that winning crown....Finish Strong! Hell yeah dey did. I pray that you know how full my heart is for you. Please forgive me beloved. I promise to never make the same mistake twice. I sing your praise from the mountain top...Who Dat! Who Dat Who Dat! You Baybee...that's who!

Loving you....like no other. Forever yours, Rae