Louisiana

by Amy Hildreth

Foster believed heaven was just Louisiana with a cooler winter

He said politics left a funny
Feeling in his mouth, a bad aftertaste.

Learning to love it and
Embrace it, Edwards baptized

Him. The Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost all attended, so

the inauguration was a smash hit.
Hollywood, inspired, dug

In the state where you can't dig
All they turned up was mud and vampires.

The lattice gates lured visitors
Longing to place their palms

On history, to make acquaintance
With the state that sold

Souls like they were crawfish
Ugly but edible.

The hospitality here is so warm
That even ghosts may enjoy

The broad verandas, the slats
on the porch swings.

The Author

Majoring with honors in English and Political Science at the University of Iowa, Amy thoroughly enjoys the academic life of reading, writing, and regurgitating. She is a hopeful MFA candidate in poetry after she completes her undergraduate education, and draws inspiration from life, lectures, and Louisiana.