Saturday book feature — The Wild Parrots of Marigny — Diane Elayne Dees

Lament For Louisiana

Each day the fragile coastline slips away,
a sedge, a heron’s home, an eagle’s nest,
will vanish before the sky folds into gray.

The egrets in the Atchafalaya Bay,
the marsh hen with its shining azure crest—
each day the fragile coastline slips away,

leaving no safe place for them to stay.
The spoonbill with the banded golden breast
will vanish. Before the sky folds into gray,

you still can see a glorious display,
as the roseate sun glides slowly to the west
each day. The fragile coastline slips away

as bold raccoons and river otters play.
The black bear, who was once a welcome guest,
will vanish before the sky folds into gray.

The rich blue view of iris in array
alongside swamp rose mallow finely dressed—
each day the fragile coastline slips away—
will vanish before the sky folds into gray.

by Diane Elayne Dees, first published in The Raintown Review, from The Wild Parrots of Marigny (Querencia Press, 2022)

Cover artist: Emily Perkovich

buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Parrots-Marigny-Diane-Elayne/dp/1959118056