had i been born

By Lee Carlson

had i been born

near the french quarter

in a pink mansion

safe from the breached levee

at the exodus order

i might have said,

“those who survive mardi gras

can ride out a hurricane.”

or, more prudently i would

gas up the suv to fly

up north to grandma’s haven.

had i been born

near the porous dike

in a tenement strewn

with rusty yard art

at evacuation time

i would have said,

“how can i go when

I haven’t any money?”

so, up to the attic

with my dear cat, where

chances are

i would have written

my last poem.

– Lee Carlson lives in Lawrence.