Marc Ellis

3 postcards.

Marc Ellis spends his time in New Orleans writing and composing for/

with the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center. His work can be seen

at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/66/pont_mirabeau.html, and he can be

reached at ellis@nternet.com.

Florida Post Card

FROM:

The Balcony of a Ramada Inn

During a Lightning Storm

Somewhere in Central Florida

TO:

Mr. Wallace Stevens, Esq. (1879-1955)

c/o The Hartford Insurance Co.

Hartford, CT

POSTMASTER: PLEASE ADVISE OF FORWARDING ADDRESS

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Florida Postcard

A strip of marsh,

A few bare trees,

And white flames dancing,

on Spanish roofs.

"But what's in it for me," yawned Mr. Chang, langloriciously.

Merengue bands or solitude;

Pretty brunettes, whom I suspect, shower nude;

Shall I scrape a poem from the sidewalk for you, Mr. Chang?

"No. Not unless it's Po Chu-i.

And he resides in clouds, not poetry."

But tonight, I have only Wallace Stevens,

And white Flamenco flames, dancing

On Spanish roofs;

___________________________________________

NEW YORK POSTCARD #1

From: A Barstool at the White Horse Tavern

Greenwich Village, New York

TO: Any Poet with a Notion to Write About Death

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL. PLEASE EXPEDITE

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NEW YORK POSTCARD #1

"And death shall have no dominion...",

Still, it took him by surprise;

A charcoal hanging at the White Horse Tavern,

Froze the look, in his startled, harrowing eyes;

Even Dylan Thomas was taken by surprise;

Poet, write of love and life,

Give us sunsets and cats' tails,

And ignore the Reaper while you can,

At least, that's my opinion;

For his best poet was born in Wales,

And now death shall be his dominion.

________________________________________

New Orleans Postcard

FROM:

Beneath a Tin Roof

At the Press Street Wharf

In a Spring Rain

TO:

A Solitary Drop of Rain

Last Known Address:

c/o The Mississippi River

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Each rain drop

wants to pool,

into a yet wetter pool,

into a pool, perhaps, of

ultimate wetness;

There's a puddle, take care!

It's filled with desire.

Marc Ellis