A French Quarter Memory

"Dad that guy has powdered sugar in his nose hair."

On a hot afternoon,
walking tour
of The French Quarter,
Emily, Monica and I
sought shelter from
hot Cajun sun,
under the rolled
awning shade
of Cafe Du Monde.

Ice cold Diet Cokes,
and piping hot beignets,
were a welcome
follow-up
to the expensive
Tasty Frank
chili cheese dog
and warm cup
of beer
I bought from a
push cart vendor
on the corner of
Magazine or Bourbon.

"I hope this powdered sugar come off my shirt."
"Dad that guy has it on his nose hair."
"Sssshhhh!"
"Can we buy a mask at that store we went past?"
"Which one?"
"Can I have another Coke?"

Hot afternoons;
walking tours
of The French Quarter,
Emily, Monica and I
await New Orleans' rebirth.
We mark time until
we can relive
the pleasure of
being broiled
by hot Cajun sun,
and ducking under
the awning shade
of Cafe Du Monde.