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écrevisse

Missing image

 




Ol' Papa Doo ove' there,
he be talkin' to dem trees, yah,
dem trees atellin' him dey secrets
'bout dem leaves yet to be born,
leas' he say dey do, heh heh,
it be some gumbo, Papa Doo
an' dem trees, yah. 

 

          Papa Doo! Descends de là droite asteur! Bon Dieu!

 

I'm gon' cook some étouffée d'écrevisse
an' some pain de maïs fo souper, yah.
It be Sunday, we always eats good on Sunday.
Ya know, Papa Doo, he sho' do love dat
crawfish an' co'nbread, heh heh.
We gets enrichment
from da crawfish fat, ya know.

 

          Papa Doo, you go an' get me some oignon an'
          piment doux an' céleri,
          I needs da trinity fo' my étouffée!
          Hurry nah, befo' da rain come!

 

          Ca c'est bon, maman! Ca c'est bon!

 

Oh my, jes' look at dem clouds,
and dis wind, it bett' slo down
befo' it blow Papa Doo's hat
clean in da bayou!

 

          C'mon nah, c'mon Papa Doo,
          get in dis house befo'
          you take da consumption fo' sho'!

 

Nah, I'm asayin' dat
hit be rainin' soon fo' sho',
so I be gittin' my t'ings
from da line mighty fas', yah!

 

Ya know, 'bout dis time las' year,
da bayou ovahflowed,
spreadin' ove' da levees,
water 'bout clean covered dis house
an' even dis clothesline, yah it do.

 

We prays hawd to da virgin
to leave it do, yah.
Even dem congo, dey be swimmin'
up to da porch and dey reaches out,
dey be tryin' to shake hands, yah dey do.
But dat sun's gonna come out agin' fo' sho'
Bon Dieu, he always make it do, yah.

 

          Lache pas la patate,
          Lache pas la patate!

 

Oh yah, might' bad skies,
dem's mist'ly wicked skies, ya know.
We all be amurmurin' prayers to da virgin
fo' some of her sweet mercies,
tha's fo' sho', les' we be gittin' out
da pirogue an' jes' start paddlin' down da bayou
lookin' fo' Papa Doo's hat!  Heh heh!

 

But me an' Papa Doo,
we gon' pass a good time, yah,
Ya know, dey say when hit be Sunday,
you mus' pass yo'self by God's House
befo' daylight be gon' down.

 

We do dat ever' Sunday,
 we passes right on by, heh heh,
an' we jes' keeps on goin', yah.

 

Nah, fo' dis étouffée d'écrevisse ,
firs' we starts wit' a good butter roux …





Author notes


Written August 29th, 2004

A contest entry

What did you think

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    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression? • Line numbers
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Comments

1 - 99 of 100     1 2  next >  (show all)
  • Kalamina
    July 8

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    Beautiful! This was so different, so flowing and simple, yet so rich in culture and texture. Great write, i enjoyed reading this a lot!


  • BellaD
    July 8
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    The dialect is flawless! Wonderful read.

  • catz Moderators member
    December 19, 2006

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    I love reading poetry like this, Becky and you've penned this perfectly ...it's like listening to that old nigress giving us her view of the day.
    I can see you've put a lot of heart and work into this outstanding write. It's excellent, Becky

    Good luck in the contest


    Dee


  • Lionslove silver member
    December 19, 2006

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    Well done!!! - ya' know, you've got four pages of comms here...lol. i don't think i need to break it down to you again.

     

    Best of luck. *hug*

     

    Lionslove*rose*


  • Hekate gold member
    December 2, 2006

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    I am so drawn to this write. I love it. I like reading writes like this because I know it's something I couldn't accomplish...the best of luck to you in the contest.
    Kari

  • Viva La Vie Boheme
    December 2, 2006

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    I love the stanza and the flawless flow in this piece, I think it's absolutely amazing! Great job in this poem!


  • Another Conciousnes
    November 21, 2006
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    It's really intertaining to read. I love the use of accent. It's amazing.


  • symitar Moderators member
    April 11, 2006
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    Thank you Edna, I appreciate the applause and your generous words. As far as the language and specific wording I used here, I was very careful in my selections and made sure that I was as authentic as I could be - not speaking this naturally, it took a lot of research and asking questions. So far, nobody has been offended, and so I feel good about that. I know several folks from this part of the country, and so in a way it was a gift from me to them.

    Thanks again, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

    sym

  • Edna Sweetlove
    April 11, 2006
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    J'ai pensé que ceci était charmant et très bien écrit. Merci de m'avoir dirigé vers cette pièce. Je vous applaudis.

    This poem raises a very interesting point concerning a recent conversation we have had. Some people (not me) would say that mimicking the Creole patois of black Louisianians (I'm guessing at the State and the inhabitants' name too!!) is patronising. I don't think it is. I think anyone who would say that is being overly sensitive.

    As I said, this is a lovely poem and I'll applaud it, even though I've used up today's quota. I may even go so far as to add you to my favourites on the strength of it.

  • Zahhar gold member
    November 18, 2005
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    this is very nicely done. i get the impression you've been in or currently live in the south. in several years when i start playing around with dialectal poems, southern brogues will be among my experiments. i'll mostly experiment with american dialects, actually, although i'm going to try to get abroad to listen and study non-american dialects.

    this is good work. there are a few spots i couldn't make sense of, but this is likely no fault of yours. if i were listening to the woman speak, i probably wouldn't be able to make sense of the same things. the words in question are actually foriegn to me.
  • ecrivain01 silver member
    September 2, 2005
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    Thisis awesome, if I didn't say that before. Perhaps you'd like to check out my contest for New Orleans?

  • DamnUnique
    July 24, 2005
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    WOW!WOW!WOW!WOW! can't stop saying that for another 10 minutes C'etait magnifique! je l'ai beaucoup aime (sorry haven' got accents on my keyboard! it was a great style of writing.....hadn't yet come across it so far but now that i HAVE,i'm gonna bookmark it for reading again n again i was pulled in by the french title cuz i simply LOVE this language and have been learning it since about 2 and a half years
    a very beauitful write!hope to read more such works of yours.....till then,happy writing
    au revoir

  • The Phoenix Returns
    May 6, 2005
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    Simply superb!
  • Mia Donna
    March 5, 2005
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    This was AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!
    Ok I was pulled in by the French title, cause I'm a French student. And I loved this by the time I read the first line. You were totally consistent with the dialect here, which is good, of course. It was so interesting, and the French adds so much! It reminds me of New Orleans. I was there about this time last year. So great write, I really enjoyed it.

  • Midnight Lace
    February 5, 2005
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    I really enjoyed this.I love your style of writing. Its so cool and so much fun to read,I just love it.You did an awesome job!

  • Ladybug
    January 10, 2005
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    I know you state you are from OK, but a swear girl you's from Loiuisiana with that crawdad'd talkin and that fat'n hat cookn and Mama sittin on de porch smokin dat fat poker cigar like that.....
    LOL, I love it
    you give great laughter to this ole gal
    thankx
    Tamara

  • Jaden silver member
    January 6, 2005
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    Having a second (or is it third?) read...

  • Lorve Laura
    December 21, 2004
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    wow, I never read anything so unique!! I was inspired by this. It's written with care, I can see this.

    Beautiful write, It was a great read and even more wonderful of a write!

    <3 Laura

  • Redstormy gold member
    December 21, 2004
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    Wow I absolutely love this one Symatar. Your talent amazes me, what patience this must have taken to write. Brava!!

    Red
  • ecrivain01 silver member
    December 18, 2004
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    Great job.

    C'est magnifique. J'ai été ravi par tout ça. I rarely get to see anything quite so intricate and well fabricated about those good folks down there who are forgetting their French all too quickly.

    Great job.

  • Runawaytrain
    December 17, 2004
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    What a wonderful piece! The Creole was reminescent of Kate Chopin's The Storm. It is a fantastic portrait of Cajun life. Though I have been to Lousisna, I have never made it down to the Bayou. I would love to visit it some day and soak up the ambaince.

  • ferg silver member
    December 16, 2004
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    keeper

    Great job on this Becky! You absolutely nail that Cajun lilt, and what a visual you've painted here. You seem to have a talent for this stuff as I recall. This could easily be a Cajun blues number.

    I've been away a while but happy to be back. I can see there is a lot of catching up to do so best get at it. Thanks for the great (mouth watering) read.

    Henri

  • sleepysmile3
    December 13, 2004
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    YAY

    I love poems written in dialect.

    I once read a poem similar to this by a white British friend, who is an AMAZING poet. Dialect really leads you in more to yourself or it lets you take on a whole other identity.

    This is beautiful, although I will admit I can't read the french. However, it is so beautiful I think it is still accessible to those not knowing the language.

    Nice job

    ~Rosey.
  • Jag7932
    December 13, 2004
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    Very nice

    Hahaha i like this very much! It is very rare to see the use of Southern talk in poems these days and it is a treat to read. Nice work!
  • BlankSlate
    December 8, 2004
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    This is awesome! I used to live in Nawlens about 3 years ago... I felt like I was listenin' to some of the old folks around. Wish I had enough points to applaud...but it looks like you got plenty.
  • Just4u
    November 24, 2004
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    I sur does hope Pappa find his hat for dem crocks get it...
    I could picture that old bayou well, whether it be in New Orleans or the backwoods of Florida. Them is some folks I
    wouldn't mind sitting a spell with, they could teach you a thing or two about peace and what really matters in life...

    Happy Holidays
    Eddy
  • Silvrwolf
    November 22, 2004
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    Well there goes papa's jeans and blues. I would swear you were from down south in the backwoods. This is good and I enjoyed the write.

  • Sprite silver member
    October 26, 2004
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    I lived for awhile down the bayou, yah, and recognized it immediately, that cajun talk...You have written a delightful piece here that really does deliver the flavor of Louisiana, like down there in Thibodeaux where I lived. Some really authentic gumbo sure would taste good about now. This is SO much FUN! Please do this again sometime.

    Great poem. ~ Joyce
  • Malobole
    October 22, 2004
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    Golden

    hey hey ...
    dunna matter what you touch, does it?....
    you're solid golden girl
    I'll bet your brain hurt after this one lol
    quite a capture ~M~
  • Pari Ali
    October 21, 2004
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    this was hard for me to read, well and no wonder as you have done a great job. So though I was a bit of swimming in the bayou trying hard to grasp the dialect I enjoyed it and it was fun reading the comments which made things a little clearer.
    but you really do this well freeze a character or a place and save them for all time in your words.

  • Being Karen
    October 21, 2004
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    Shit...this is one complex mother*$%$er...loved it though.. after a couple of reads, i really got into the narrative..and the way it draws you into the south, you feel it really, experience...excellent work!

  • April Renee
    October 21, 2004
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    the ending is confusing to me...but...ofcourse it would be...étouffée d'écrevisse ..have no clue as to what that means..but i really enjoyed reading this! so well written it had me doin' da voicin'....hrmm ya....good stuff..enjoyed tons!!

    ~*~blu~*~
  • StrmDncr
    October 18, 2004
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    As soon as I started to read this I thought of the old cajin cook who was on PBS years ago... Oh what was his name....
    Justin Wilson I think. I used to love to watch him and listen to the way he talked.... him and his oignon... LOL
    Great stuff lady....
    And thank for your help tonight...

    I'm glad I stopped by..
    Pat

  • Jaden silver member
    October 18, 2004
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    A musical piece here. . .true to the bayou. Excellent.

  • October 16, 2004
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    Surprising, refreshing piece: brilliantly evocative of time and place. You put it in humor but for me it's overflowing with love and humanity and understated pathos. Never been to Louisiana: my only knowledge of an ecrevisse being the French freshwater crayfish - saw one earlier this year, hiding in the rocks. Very pretty he was.

  • Talia
    October 12, 2004
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    LOL I love the accent used in this piece and the ending stanzas I found the funniest. The pics is very cool aswell.

    Nice work

  • CookieZeal Greeters member
    September 26, 2004
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    Oh, my. This would do credits for a social scene...make way for the best in a culture of its food and activity. I'm so very glad to see you stretching a propos of a Cajun and less suspected lady en francais.

    Rap.....hehehe.From an American to....an American in Paris/ New Orleans style.

    Glad to see this!! Wowee. Thank you !

  • Whispering Winds
    September 14, 2004
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    I really enjoyed reading this.
    I dont normally read stuff like this, but it was well worth it. I love the way you wrote this...kinda hard to follow, but like i said it was well worth it.
    sorry i have not been reading you much, just been busy, hope you are doing well, I am doing much better then before. Thanks for always being there for all of us..your a very special person and a very talented writer.
    And again, Excellent work here.
    Much Love,
    Tammy (AKA Heavenly Poet)
  • pooby
    September 10, 2004
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    I loved this. I am no master of literature, but I know good reading when I read it, and I got two for the price of one click, because above "dericlee" gave one more boost for the sultry bayou. How long did it take you to write this? I eat fried corn bread too, but I was born in Georgia where fried corn bread and sweet iced tea is a religion. Once again I loved this.

  • Yemassee silver member
    September 6, 2004
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    It seems to me that you capture the cajun dialect (at least sterotypically) quite well. This is quite a challenge (the colloquial voice) I would think. Has the feel of classic local color. For some reason I now have a hankerin' to go read some of George Washington Cable's old stories.

  • dericlee gold member
    September 3, 2004
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    Great, now I'm hungry!!!

    Writing in colloquial dialect is always two tremendous risks. The first is that one might be perceived as mocking an ethnic group...you have no defense against this, since the perception will always be solely in the mind of the reader.

    The second is that the reader who has never been exposed to the accent in question can almost never 'hear' what you struggle to phonetically illustrate. Again, try as you will, you have no defense...if they haven't heard it, they won't hear it.

    But, Chil', 'DIS cowboy done live two yea's o' his ol' life smack down dere on da bayou wit his ol' Oncle Reeshar', an' dis readin' done make me faime! Not jes' fo de étouffée (an' my mouf' do be all a water!) but fo' de peoples! Dese ol' ears be hungry fo' de zydeco an' de sof' speakin' an' dese eyes done got hungry fo' de gals wit' de chocolate-car'mel skin all a'dancin' in de moonlight so free wit' dem cotton dresses a twirlin'...


    Gal, you done good heah! 'Dis pome done make de bayou come 'live.
    Edited on Sep 03, 12:38 because 'my typo-gremlin got a little active again'.

  • cherche -d -ame gold member
    September 2, 2004
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    I forgot to applaud , so here it goes

  • cherche -d -ame gold member
    September 2, 2004
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    This exceeds perfection...i can just put myself right into Louisiana and be invitited for some of that oh so cajun food and sit there for hours as Papa Doo be tellin them stories of so long ago
    Reenie

  • PurpleSky
    September 2, 2004
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    You did a wonderful job on this it made me laugh at the thought of what I was reading. At first I was like what the heck is this then as I started reading I got the hang of it lol great job on this one
  • clear
    September 2, 2004
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    WAAA This is great!

    I like it! though I had a hard time reading it ^_^ hehe

    Well nweiz I enjoyed reading your work ^_^ keep writin..take care

  • Kahlan4
    September 2, 2004
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    GREAT!!

    I absolutely love this, the way you wrote it, I can just hear someone from the south in New Orleans, back in the 1800's or something, telling it. Wow, I really do love this, very awesome!!

  • Catressa gold member
    September 2, 2004
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    OMG lol <~~~~~~~~ Used to be called baby coonass when she was young.. I went to elementary school in Baton Rouge. lol Eden Park. I had no problem understanding this, and make sure you get some sweet tea to go with the crawfish, god I LOVE CRAWFISH BOILS!! I can smell it through this screen. PEOPLE havent lived til they had potato's and corn on the cob from that. Oh the seasons in it, I am such a fat girl lol I always think of food ha ha but you know how my husband fell in love with me? Cooking fried cornbread and Jambalaya. Sigh I miss having Tony Chachere seasonings I haven't found any here. SHOCK..Anyways, your write brought back memories of St.James Parish for me.. Sniff sniff. Take Care, Cat
  • crookedlefttoe
    September 2, 2004
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    very nice

  • Bigmammajen
    September 2, 2004
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    I ......love this.
    different, intriguing and something to read that actually has something of imagination and talent put into it

    a nice refreshing read

  • AngelSeeker silver member
    September 1, 2004
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    I did like the story overall, but I found it hard to read and still follow. And yes I know that people do talk that way, but somehow it's easier to understand the spoken then the written words. Maybe that's because I'm unused to seeing them. From all the applause you received I guess others didn't have as much of a problem as I did. Good luck with your poem. ~ Patti ~

  • Jonathan Wikkins
    September 1, 2004
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    now this is a good one!
    and yes, we do talk like this, pretty much anyway...
    hehehe
    yes, i'm full bleed cajun... born in N.O. raised waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up north around shreveport!
    hehe
    great write!
    mike
  • Faze226
    August 31, 2004
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    ROCKS!!!

    i luv the pigeon english yo, it sounds so real that i would think that is actually how u speak and right (It isnt is it?) anyway uve turned me into a believer.

  • rutlandxyz gold member
    August 31, 2004
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    oh how tasty! you have reminded me that the value of colloquial speech is its power to transport us into fabulous, unfamiliar place... for all the strangeness and distance of this language it insists on its reality- presents its world-- proudly. time to eat! r.

  • misselaineous gold member
    August 31, 2004
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    you have cooked up a fine ol' treat here ~ i loved the picture you create especially the grabbing the clothes from the line cos its raining soon ~ it's what i have been doing for days!
    mmmm delicious!

  • Balladeer gold member
    August 30, 2004
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    We simply have to discuss your command of the English language!! LOL! You make this look easy, lady, and it is certainly anything but that. You have filled this piece with the flavor and essence of the period in a magnificent way....nice going!!!
  • Withered Roses
    August 30, 2004
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    This is great....i would applaud it but i have no more applause left for today!! haha well awesome work....witheredroses
  • MtnGirl98 silver member
    August 30, 2004
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    This is GREAT! I'm going to New Orleans this coming spring vacation from school... I don't think I would have realized this is N'Orleans-speak if I hadn't done research on how they "tawk" down there! This really made me smile, and makes me look forward to my trip even more! I'm glad I was able to follow this! It was well worth it! Awesome write!
  • AJtheGreat88
    August 30, 2004
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    i like the cajun feel to it...that or a jamaica...i like it though...good imagery

  • rufina caraid silver member
    August 30, 2004
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    I didn't understand all of it Becky but it certainly was interesting and the picture is hmmm 'picture perfect'
    ~Von~

  • hugh wyles silver member
    August 30, 2004
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    Dear Becky,
    Yo' sho' wrote a stunnin' one heah babe!
    Dis am jes' so intressant, my darlin' and yo' git writin' da
    lingo jes' purfik'.
    Well done, a splendid story-poem. Please write more often.
    Applause, love and hugs, XXX Hugh.

  • the atlantic gold member
    August 30, 2004
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    wow...thsi was great. it had a luoisiana flare to it...and i liked that. the form was awesome..and the imagery made my senses go crazy. sweet, totally awesome job.

    J
  • lachicamontanas
    August 30, 2004
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    so hungry!

    took me back to new oreleans... the smell a cajun food mixed with the musk of the bayou and the acrid smell a bourbon street in the too hot and humid morning.
    wicked good... thanks!
  • zara
    August 30, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    wow, becky

    it takes a fine-tuned ear to write dialect like this. I really don't know this (cajun?) one, but your poem sure rings off the tongue and sounds authentic. a wonderful view into the life and mind of this person.

    I see you're still up to your stellar performances. how's it feel to be an idol?

  • Dolce
    August 30, 2004
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    It's like sitting on a porch listening to you grandmother telling you stories, sipping lemonade. Or maybe some old lady that runs a shop in some town in the middle of nowhere on the way to somewhere. This is very well written and you can feel the accent coming through strong. Lovely.

  • shadowsiren
    August 30, 2004
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    I'll admit that I had to read it slowly because of the style that you used (which I loved by the way!). It was stunningly unique and descriptive. It gave left me feeling fulfilled when I was finished...but not over so...just like a good meal.
    ~*Jenn*~

  • Sykness
    August 30, 2004
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    nice poem! Really interesting and nice o.O I love it. Keep the good work!
  • JustAnotherPunk
    August 30, 2004
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    I love the way you wrote this. I love the dialect in this. Thanks so much for sharing this. It was incredible. The way it painted the picture and the form that it's in. Great work and keep writing. Thanks for sharing.

    JustAnotherPunk

  • freewill
    August 30, 2004
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    wow what an incredible write. well done.

  • NurseChilly gold member
    August 30, 2004
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    After reading Cane River which Suzi's mum gave me as a going home present.. this poem made perfect sense to me.. a wonderful piece Becky.. stunnin infact

    ~GILL~xxxx

  • melphleg gold member
    August 30, 2004
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    Nicely written. Entertaining. Interesting mix of french and creole. Sounds like from New Orleans. Kind of reminds me of "Grandfather Tales" but different dialect.
  • nerweniel
    August 30, 2004
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    This is really well written... I love the sounds and the French sentences you used. It really brings back a kind of Cajun spirit, if you know what I mean .
  • GenXPsalmist
    August 30, 2004
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    Wow, the way you wrote the accent was amazing! I could really hear the lady talking like that. I didn't understand the french, so I probably missed out on quite a bit in the poem, but it was still great.

  • Sunkissedrose
    August 30, 2004
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    This was wonderfully rich with Cajun textures. I love the way this poem speaks, does that make sense? I have missed reading you, but this piece was exceptional. I too came away a bit hungry for some real cajun cooking.
    ~Carrie

  • evildiva4ever
    August 30, 2004
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    love it wow but it kind of makes me hungry lol

  • Nour Beydoun
    August 30, 2004
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    I absolutely love this.. especially the french lines.. reminded me of my french teacher who had that kinda tone/accent..
    Very well done.. you get my first applause of the day!
    Nour-

  • MuseStalker
    August 30, 2004
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    Excellent

    My mother was from Virginia - born and raised on a tobacco farm near the North Carolina border. This poem reminds me of the time I spent there. My first real work was in tobacco fields - working from "can't see to can't see" beside black and white field hands who talked much like this...without the French phrases thrown in, of course. I used to sit mesmerized, listening to stories and the general rumbling monologues of the older folks...who seemed to be able to talk all day about things that might have been inconsequential on a city street. But these subjects took on a deep mystery and magic when spoken of in those rich heavily accented voices. I dream about those days sometimes...and always, in those dreams, women are sitting on rough benches, tying tobacco leaves to poles for drying, and talking of things like the weather and what they are going to make for dinner. And, I always awake feeling like I've left something beautiful and graceful and ultimately essential behind. Thanks for the memories.

  • rainwalker gold member
    August 30, 2004
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    Awesome

    I absoulutely LOVE the way you wrote this. Its more like a dialogue than a poem, but I can feel the rhythm to it as I read it aloud. I think this is definitely a read-aloud poem hahaha. My favorite part:

    Oh my, jes' look at dem clouds,
    and dis wind, it bett' slo down

    I just love the sounds in this poem. Awesome job! keep on writing!

    ~ Laura

  • ArtFullyMe gold member
    August 30, 2004
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    Nicely done. I enjoyed the dialogue.. and your style.. This is down to earth ..and speaks to many.

    ~~whims

  • Runawaytrain
    August 30, 2004
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    I avoided clicking on this for a long time, (the title scared me-thought it was all in French) but I am so glad that I did. What a wonderful write, felt like I was in the Bayou. Rich with culture, and a good story too.

  • sidewinder silver member
    August 29, 2004
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    This reminds me of those days in texas...
    where i'd hear the old folks tell a story....very good memories that would make anyone smile!
    Keep penning on one stroke at a time!
    Bill

  • LucysPoetry
    August 29, 2004
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    Excellent!

    hey! This poem is really different from what i've read before. It's really well written. I liked it alot. By the way, je parles français aussi C'est adorable la façon que tu as écrit celui-ci. Je l'ai vraiment adoré!
    Take carez of yourself.
    ~Lucy

  • Touchof1der Moderators member
    August 29, 2004
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    I want food! I can feel my hips spreading as I read this dammit…stop already! I love the way you infuse the proper dialogue into your writing, giving it that truly realistic feel and flow. I love the tales you spin and you do it so well. I think we should clone you so we could get twice the bang for the buck. Twice as much good writing, twice as often! Great job as always!
  • InvisibleMan
    August 29, 2004
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    hmmm...makes my tummy start rumblin' for some cajun food. I used to live by a litle family owned cajun restaurant that had barbecue of the Gods. The ONLY thing I miss about that neighborhood is that restaurant....sigh.

    You sure as heck have the language down pat. Makes me wonder if you were a cajun princess in a past life. VERY authentic piece, Becky. I see your muse is still hard at work!

  • Fantasy08
    August 29, 2004
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    Wow, absolutely loved this!! Soo creative and original. Had fun reading this! Thanks for sharing!!

    xoxo~Meag

  • Flaming Sky
    August 29, 2004
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    Oh, I LOVE the bayou! I have some friends from there, and I do love the cooking, and their mixed French and English... it's so fun to hear and read... thanks for the trip down memory lane.

    - sky

  • artis gold member
    August 29, 2004
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    took me back to some time I spent in the south carolina and georgia swamps with some good friends who celebrated eating as if it were a wedding, and always treated guests like a bride...lovely story, and it made me a bit hungry as wel for some black-eyed peas and some jambalaya, and various other southern delicacies....lol...Artis

  • tinuelena silver member
    August 29, 2004
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    everyone's said it already.

    well done.

    elizabeth

  • leo2
    August 29, 2004
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    You've captured the true flavor of the bayou country in this write. My brother's wife and inlaws spoke exactly like this. And, oh yes, they loved to cook and eat...lol

    Regards,
    Leo Long

  • Adios Muchachos gold member
    August 29, 2004
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    Won a fan here !!!!

    Dear Symitar,
    This is so endearing!
    I loved reading poems by Paul Dunbar written in the black southern dialect, and I love this one too!
    You wouldn't have any speckled butter beans in your repertoire there somewhere?
    Super job!
    Regards,
    John-Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Swirleee
    August 29, 2004
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    XD!!! That was so funny!!!! XD!!!!
    This is great!!! omg.. I needed to laugh and you did it
  • VetalasAnkou
    August 29, 2004
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    i love the use of french, very original, great use of language, it reminded me of Their Eyes Were Watching God too, but also The Color Purple, very good

  • Lord Gegishov silver member
    August 29, 2004
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    Excellent

    I he some southern Haitian? The dialect was great, the French, excellent! This is a splendid piece. Deefinitely one of the more unique pieces I have read on this site so far. It reminded me of Their Eyes Were Watching God or something with a dialect. You know Wuthering Heights also has dialect, if on a smaller scale. Extraordinary write! Good Job.

  • Axelle Black
    August 29, 2004
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    lol! lache pas la patate...if I weren't french canadian...I'd think you were speaking of potatoes