The Journey of a Bouquet

A Poetic Journey of a Displaced Family By Michael McColgan

Parchment

Re-Bloom Time has passed. Life has crept on. We are all feeling positive The bouquet is again blooming. I have been promoted Danielle’s sizzling talents recognized. Robert’s football, Drawing college attention. Reagen now 14 going on 40. We like Denver. Our heartbroken soul still loves NOLA. Memories are fading like the warm days. The pain has eased a bit. Rain storms are like stomach punches, We all feel it. Our community has welcomed us Almost NOLA style. We do not hear Refugee Any longer. The aromatic bouquet Blooming again, Even the rigid stem.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;October 30

Red Tape I am a simple man. Catch fish Sell fish. The complexity of Red Tape Mind Boggling. We met with many acronyms. Each one repeating the same questions, Each one promising it will get better. Your life will return NOLA will return We heard over and over The Superdome knew better. The Lady has changed us all. We filled out forms, We waited. Filled out more forms, Waited Interviews, Waited. Finally After what seemed like a lifetime A new place A new life Denver?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;September 5

Citeˊ Vivante de NOLA New Orleans NOLA, the vibrant city. A citeˊ as diverse as its famous Gumbo. The city that is always alive. Music, smooth and sweet, filling all the air. Inviting smell of food, everywhere,&nbsp; Always French Creole American A beautiful blend of culture. Artistic&nbsp;blend- As if NOLA was created by a baker. We support each other- We support our Saints- We are a community. NOLA life is vibrant Each ward like a finger Creating the strong hand that is New Orleans. We live a happy, satisfying life….. Until August 29th cut our party short.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;August 30

Transition When you have lost everything What do you do? Where do you go? As is NOLA custom The City embraced us. Trucks carried people, Tanks carried people, People carried people. Our community shifted to higher ground. We had only the clothes on our back. Horrifically, no Beignet. Swept away. We found a cot The Superdome now a hostel. NOLA food, reduced to box lunches. Privacy, Gone. We shared a football field Thousands of us, Shoulder to shoulder. A bunch of flowers, Within a field of chaos.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;September 2

Mile High City Denver just meant Broncos. I had a vague idea of where Denver was. I had no idea who Denver was! First impressions- Not Denver yet 3 day bus ride 60 people like sardines in a Greyhound tin. Herded like cattle NOLA to Denver A new beginning? It was September Denver already living a NOLA December. We had never seen mountains. NOLA is a flat as my wife’s flapjacks. Small City No sounds creating the mood No sweet smells to make one’s stomach dance. A true new beginning. Our reward Claustrophobic hotel room Two Beds One bathroom Four people. The beautiful bouquet still smelling of sweet Spring.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;September 15

The Day of the Lady Numbers were never very important to me. Until August 29th. Category 5 downgrading to Category 3 1400 dead $70 billion in damages 125 mph wind 11th named storm. Katrina, a hurricane, full of devastating numbers. Katrina, means “Pure”. Pure Evil. The Lady came ashore Thunderous waves Howling winds Unimaginable Terror! When the Sun dared peek again 9th Ward, Gone. Water to the roof Our beloved community A grave yard. The sting of tears on my cheek Never a feeling to be lost&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;August 30

Antique paper texture

This poetic journey is a project assigned to the Apex Friendship Middle School 8th Grade Language Arts class of Rebecca Rosales. I am the special education co-teacher in the classroom. The unit was covering refugees and displaced persons, using world-wide review of refugee and displaced persons text. Michael McColgan

Nouvelle Vie New Life As promised. The acronyms have supplied the new life. Danielle quickly found a chef gig, Though a chain steak house. Reagen a middle school A booming Band program. Robert a high school Ironic He left NOLA due to a tragedy His high school Columbine Known for its own devasting tragedy. We are adjusting. We have heavier clothes now An apartment without air conditioning. Don’t need it. Construction for me currently No sea here to fish. Not a bad place Denver The sting of tears Still felt.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; October 16

9th Ward Bonjour The 9th Ward is home to the LaFleurs. It has been my home for a very long time. The blast of wind The swoosh of water I speak of the Ward in the past tense. As I reflect, The story of our home is important to remember. New Orleans, the city of Jazz Mardi Gras, The Party The penetrating aroma of gumbo, shrimp, biscuits, chicken and creole. Filling the air like love fills the heart. My family sharing the long French traditions of the 9th Ward. Our name means “Flower”. Flowers bloom Flowers smell like Spring Flowers are beautiful to the eye. The 9th Ward of NOLA is a Flower. The 9th Ward of NOLA was a Flower. The life giving water has destroyed the Flower. Some Flowers come back, The LaFleur bunch will bloom again.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;August 30

Table Of Contents Preface LaFleur Bunch&nbsp;3 Citeˊ Vivante de NOLA&nbsp;4 9th Ward&nbsp;5 The Day of the Lady&nbsp;6 Displacement&nbsp;7 Transition&nbsp;8 Red Tape&nbsp;9 Mile High City&nbsp;10 Adjustment&nbsp;11 Nouvelle Vie&nbsp;12 Re-Bloom&nbsp;13

LaFleur Bunch My Family A true bouquet. My name is Jean Luc LaFleur French for flower. A fisherman by trade. My wife, Danielle, a rose with the eyes of a crystal lake. Her hands create magic, a chef in NOLA. Daughter, Reagen, 13 going on 30. A true musical flower. Robert, my heir An athlete, as silky smooth on the field as the sounds of Jazz. We live in deep French traditions. We love unconditionally. I am the stem that holds the bouquet together- Not the prettiest piece, but the backbone. My family, prettier than roses- Talents as deep as the aroma of a flower garden in the Spring. Our dog Beignet, a three-legged Beagle As cute as the irony of his name. Devastatingly, a beautiful bouquet can lose it’s luster.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Displacement In Fishing we understand water displacement. In the 9th Ward, not so much. We were displaced BY water. We are now with a label-IDP. I despise acronyms as much as numbers now. IDP FEMA We are now forced to leave our home- Ever to Return? 9th Ward is gone Community is gone. We are told Insurance money will not suffice. We must move on. My brother Pierre, same. We are now called Internally Displaced Persons. Not sure what that means But an acronym will help us find new lives. We do not want new lives We love our life. The Pure Lady has stolen from us More than she dumped.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;September 1

Adjustment You don’t realize what you miss Until it has been torn from you. Denver is a beautiful city NOLA it is not. No aura of France No Ocean No warmth and humidity Though that is like finding money in the sofa. We arrived with nothing Hotel life is bearable We live on a stipend All going to coats and sweaters. Air is thinner Air is colder All is different. No Gumbo Fast food chicken and fish Fast Food southern, like trying to hide a pig with lipstick. My flowers are adjusting The rigid stem, not as easily. I, we, miss the NOLA life. There are promises of return We are holding onto that Like a fish to a hook.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; October 3 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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