Tags
blood, death, fear, folk tales, mystery, ritual, spells, spiritual, supernatural, voodoo, witch, witchcraft
She was long and lovely from ‘way down south,
she had blood on her hands, blood on her mouth.
She’d got voodoo spells and incantations.
She lived on one of those big plantations.
Had she done something bad? Well, I don’t know.
She went by the name of Marie Laveau.
She had golden skin and curly black hair,
down near the bayou you could find her there,
with her big old snake wrapped ’round and ’round,
it was party time when the sun went down.
Cauldron would bubble and naked they’d dance,
potions concocted, ’round the fire she’d prance.
She had a mojo hand, a black cat bone —
wouldn’t want her to catch you all alone.
There were stories told of the men she’d hexed;
husband Jacques unaware that he’d be next,
he just disappeared, he never returned —
just ashes left and the incense she burned.
Stroll though the graveyard down near Bayou Street
upon St. John’s Eve when the spirits meet.
There on her tomb is perched a big black crow
masking the spirit of Marie Laveau.
She leads the rites and the ritual scene,
forever known as the the Voodoo Queen.
Photo by Samantha Corfield
Tomb of Marie Laveau
St. Louis Cemetary #1
New Orleans
Marie Laveau lived from 1794 to 1881 on North Rampart Street, New Orleans. When requested, she used the Voodoo religion’s magical powers to control one’s enemies, lovers and acquaintances.
The type of music I have in mind for this has twanging guitars and a heavy drum beat reminiscent of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song, “Down on the Bayou” or the Colin James song “Voodoo Thing”
I really like the syncopation and word choices here, Dennis. I sometimes think musically, too. But I’m going to go far afield of the bayou. Peter Gabriel’s heavily percussion-driven and upbeat (almost frenetic) “Kiss of Life,” which I’d love to get to know on the drums, came to my mind, though I think that one was written with an African rather than a Creole or American sensibility to it. For one thing, it talks about “down by the ocean lies a body in the sand . . . ” but the “Big Woman” who drives the action in the song, so to speak, seems like a priestess to me, literally breathing into the “mouth of death.”
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wonderful! Perfect in rhyme and meter!
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WOW, this is fine.
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Thank you.
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The beautiful content apart, this poem is the dopest I’ve seen in months. Thumbs up for this piece!
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Thank you very much.
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Nicely done!!!
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Thank you, Vickie, for your kind words. They are very much appreciated.
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Reblogged this on Siouxsie's Space and commented:
I absolutely love the flow of this – and thought others might, too. Marie LaVeau HS always been a fascination of mine, and whenever we made the trip to New Orleans (I’m originally from about 40 miles away) we would always stop at her grave to pay respects.
Wonderful, powerful, scary lady. 🙂
Dennis does a great job capturing this.
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Thank you very much for reblogging my poem. I’m glad that you felt that I captured some of her spirit. I too would like to stop at her grave to pay my respects
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I hear Dr John singing Loop Garoo…first encountered Marie Laveau in the writings of James Lee Burke
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I love his music, “he created the character of Dr. John the Night Tripper, a voodoo sorcerer and healer”, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I’ve ordered Dixie City Jam (Dave Robicheaux) by James Lee Burke. He sounds like a fascinating author.
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Lovely flow to your words. I look forward to popping in and reading more. Thank you for stopping by my blog and following. In love & light Cheryle
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Hi Cheryle, I love what you are doing with your blog. Your words “My goal is to better myself and be of service.” are very admirable. That’s what I try to do as well.
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Dennis – her tomb is covered with X’s from people who claim to have had their wishes granted after a small rite at her grave.
There is a shop in the French Quarter named after her – it’s a little creepy and a whole lot kitchy – but there are still practitioners of Voudon and Voodoo there.
Most people from “home” think of her as a sort of cross between a voodoo fairy godmother and the Boogom. But everyone tends to speak of her with respect in the bayou. 🙂
Love the poem/lyrics – dont forget the slide guitar when you set it to music. 🙂
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Hi, Siouxsie, thank you for the information. I agree a blues slide guitar is essential. I’m going to listen to some Dr John to get ideas.
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i would love to put music to this, or write the “other side” to this story…
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Please, use it in any way you can. I’d love to see the results. ~ Dennis
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Ok, when I do, I’ll contact you. 🙂
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The style of this poem, with its easygoing, almost nursery-rhyme-like rhythm and accessible language, reminds me a touch of Stevie Smith, a favourite poet of mine. It’s a nice little story, very evocative of character and place. Thank you for the read.
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I love Stevie Smith’s poetry and have purchased her Selected Poems (Penguin Modern Classics). I look forward to rereading them.
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Dennis, I love your poem…the rhyming…I miss that in modern poetry. I suppose that’s why I read the classic poets. The CCR song you mentioned, its candance and beat, is a perfect fit for your poem. Makes me want to go dance naked around a bonfire. lol
Kathy
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I’d love to join you 😉
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Lol…who knows what the future may bring.
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Dennis, I love the poem and also the picture you chose. Perfect match. Voodoo was a big part of New Orleans culture and probably lingers on. We went to the Voodoo Museum on a recent visit. Take care, BTG
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Thank you so much. I would love to visit the Voodoo Museum.
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What evocative imagery! Yes, this definitely needs to be set to music – as you say, CCR or Colin James, something southern and sultry.
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I definitely had music and jungle drums running through my mind when I wrote this. You’re right — southern and sultry.
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You could see and feel it in your bones Dennis. Great poem, but I hope I don’t meet her in this life 🙂
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From what I understand, she was a beautiful and powerful woman, but better to be admired from afar.
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Beautiful! It makes me want to visit New Orleans even more.
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I want to go there for the food, the music and the architecture. I Know I’d love it.
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Yes the architecture, especially the Garden District!
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Great! Yes, like Martha, I could hear it as a song before I saw your comments at the bottom about music. Keep up the wonderful work, Dennis.
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I often write poetry while listening to music. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m glad that you liked this.
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I could actually hear the music behind this before I even read the info at the bottom. That was wonderfully done!
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Thank you for your kind words.
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Reblogged this on jmlibby and commented:
This is amazing! I couldn’t not share this 🙂
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Thank you for reblogging this. It is much appreciated.
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This flows really well.
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Thanks for your kind words.
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I can hear it! and the hair is standing upright!
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Thank you, this is one of my favorite poems.
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She must have been quite a personality. Too bad she’s only remembered as wicked and dangerous.
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Where i’m from her name is revered. Wicked? Not really.
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Yes, that’s the impression I got from reading about her. She was backed by a lot of politicians. Stories about her contain a lot of rumor, but I don’t think she was ever charged with anything. She is properly described as a ‘Voodoo priestess’.
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She was a powerful woman who lived to an old age. I’m sure she was loved by many.
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I was thinking swamp blues, early Little Feat perhaps?
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Definitely swamp blues, maybe with a background of bird and other nature sounds.
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Superb!
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Thank you.
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