New Orleans Writing Marathon--a special part of each Invitational Summer Institute
Each summer ISI fellows spend one day in New Orleans, observing, taking notes, and experiencing the city from the perspective of writers. The poem by Nancy Story is the result of a day spent writing and thinking about this fascinating city. Many teachers take this concept back to their classrooms and help their students become observers of their own worlds.
New Orleans
Close your eyes, hear the heartbeat of the city.
She’s proud and strong
And not ashamed to say, “Hey, mister, wanna have some fun?”
Stretches out her long legs and puts her party shoes on.
Embraces every stranger who falls into her warm, sweaty arms.
Let’s her hair fall loose about her shoulders,
And throws back her head with a big riverboat laugh,
But don’t you call that painted lady a whore,
‘Cause she has a soul.
A soul as big as St. Louis Cathedral,
As deep as the Mississip’
And when you walk off’,
Don’t shake your head in a disgustin’ way,
‘Cause you know you’ll be back.
And she’ll take you,
Wrap her big ol’ arms around you,
Smack you right on the mouth,
And say, “Hey, mister, wanna have some fun?”
Nancy Storey