Summary

The speaker describes the sort of nostalgic evening that makes them think of home. The evening light reminds them of boat rides through the swampland, with thick trees and flowers, and of breakfast the next day. It reminds them of blues music and the unique native smells that float over New Orleans. The speaker looks back on days on the porch drinking cocktails or iced tea, and the food they would eat to celebrate time with loved ones. In this city there would be nuns walking by the river that runs around the city, and the smells of chicory (alternative caffeine-free) coffee and smoke. Finally, the speaker reflects that New Orleans is a city of dreams and healing.

Analysis

“Going Home: New Orleans” establishes its premise and place in the title. Because neither setting is established in the body of the poem, the title...