Summary

The speaker explorers the city in the evening, observing the unique natural landscape of New Orleans and the dead who wander its streets. The spirits sing and carouse, dress in elaborate costumes and pray to traditional Vodou deities. After the night is over, they ride taxis home, although the taxi drivers never find anyone in the back seats. The speaker looks through the newspaper searching for an apartment to rent. They come across one that advertises an apartment which is “Not Haunted” (Line 23), an attribute the speaker views with suspicion.

Analysis

The poem begins by establishing a concrete time, and the relationship between that time and the location: “It’s 9 p.m., early for the dead / in any other city, but here” (Lines 1-2). The word “early” suggests that this time is not quite dark yet, putting the scene in mid-summer. Lines 3 through half...