Mystified by James Lee Burke, novelist.

 

Poem:
Takes you to a mangrove swamp. 
Gators, coons, egrets. 
And popup catfish bubbles. 
Motor launch wakes. 
Smell of fish bream.. 
Fish bait shack of 
Detective Dave Robichaud 
Kicked out of New Orleans PD 

For indiscretions together with 
His best buddy Clete Purcell. 
They get their man, in crazy ways. 
When Clete is not busy 
Chasing bail jumpers as P. I. 
Or seeking out his 
Illegitimate Daughter. 

Or some new motel fling.

Hot short-term vixen.

Applying his massive size 
And scarred fists. 
When the job requires. 

Pink Cadillac. Po’Boy sandwiches.

Office out of a lunchbox.

Dave is an alcoholic. 
Knows the drill  
Has friends who help. 
And also with the 
Horrific dreams of terrifying 
Tunnels of Viet Nam. 

There will usually be some 
Rich local family holding 
Most of the chips. 
Living, eating, driving, dealing 
Fancy and entitled. Play acting. 
Perhaps wife was an old Flame of Dave’s.
Drunk, he piled up 
A lot of that kind of mess.
Sober he landed upon all of the answers. 
Approaches to victorious arrests. 
And sweeter nights near 
Lake Pontchartrain.

Background soundtrack

Egrets in love, singing.