New Orleans

The ripples spread wide
Long before the flood
The world felt the waves
Of music pulsate outwards
Reaching religions and cultures
Far, far and so very wide.

Then high winds raged
Tore and tugged at the land
Rain lashed down from the heavens
The levies burst and in poured
Lakes of turgid water.
Rafts of broken flotsam
Turning to fetid putrefaction.

The water’s departed now
From the ruins and remains.
Where is our love and help
In return for music so fine?

Martin Delemare
18th January 2006