Post-Katrina Valentine 2011 This ark-la-tex relationship has no narrative spike It simply arcs on, southern gothic, random spite—Cajun—certainly creole--maybe Countrywide: affections mortgaged to the hilt; affectations, unaltered We’ve set a course of reconstruction Scavengers scampering after the American Dreamscape Love in two time zones:   then and now Still two- steppin’, two-timing, too much pain The five year tally:  five jobs, four cities, no excuses The watermark:  504 Sad-shoe-shuffles with smart phones:  connections cabled with same-old, old-time sentiments Not yet love in the ruins:  smaller, specific, staccato Recollections wrapped-- like Linus’ blanket--around FEMA numbered, slumbering hearts Softened soles shape hope with a spindly tree and makeshift skirt  Leave Christmas lights on through early Mardi Gras for my all-time Valentine. By Wystan Rail

Wystan Rail is a free-lance editor and writer living in a Caddo Lake cypress swamp near Uncertain, Texas.  She is delighted to be somewhat settled after several post-Katrina moves.