The fountain in the courtyard raucously gurgles
At times it overflows, the red brick smears with a gray-green algae
The plants surround me
Some over head, others next to me
I stare at the stone floor, misshapen and cracked
And upwards, three levels of suites
Little lanterns light the way
The fire escape goes three floors up
And I climb the iron gate if I feel like it
4 sets of iron tables
A metal gate
Engulfing New Orleans
And not letting it rape you.
