Anna Marie - NOLA Influence

The music in your heart.
That’s when you know.
It’s the people around you,
Not just where you go.

Artists get inspired by
Something that catches their eye.
In New Orleans, we are inspired,
By the people passing by.

Inspired by their clothes,
Their hair,
Their smile.
Anything ranging
From their kind stares
To their style.

Inspiration.
Where will it take you?
What will it drive you to do?

Anna Marie, age 17

Anna Marie - Mardi Gras

What is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is the time when people run down the streets cheering “Carnival Time.”

Whether it’s morning or night seems perfectly fine.

All through the day and all through the night,

There is not a single empty street corner in sight.

People all around dancing, cheering, and singing,

If you’re not from New Orleans you don’t know what you’re missing.

“Carnival Time” and “Throw Me Something Mister” are common sayings,

If you come this year, I know you’ll be staying.

Or at least come back around this time next year,


To catch some beads and share that Mardi Gras cheer!

Anna Marie, age 16

Anna Marie - Winter in NOLA

It’s Christmas time in New Orleans

The bells are ringing, the children are singing.

People are embracing the holiday spirit.

New Orleans, New Orleans, it’s Christmas time.

Families are caroling.

Children are merry.

Everyone has that holiday spirit.

The wonderful dome shines in the colors of green and red,

This season ending is what most people dread.

Although people know that it is that time of year,

People fear that after 25 days, the end is near.

Christmas time, and the happy celebrations,

From the street lights to street corners,

Everyone’s in their best mood.

The party has only just begun,

Yet it will fly by without a second glance.

Still people’s grins are shining from ear to ear,

Oh why must the end NOLA Christmas be so near.

Anna Marie, age 16

Anna Marie - There's a Feeling in the Air...

A feeling…
Feeling in the air.
The air of our hope.
A hope for happiness.
Happiness that’s enjoyed.
The joy that makes us all smile.
The smile that leads to laughter.
The laughter that leads to memories.
The memories that lead to friendships.
Friendships that make us happy forever.
Forever being a never ending factor of time.
What a lovely and sensational feeling in the air.

Anna Marie, age 16.

Anna - I Will Defend

I will defend the things I believe,

That is the only way people will achieve

The goals we place, and attempt to make,

Trying to overcome the challenges we take.

Force yourself to believe and defend,

Who knows? You might start a new trend.

Helping others to defend what is right,

Don’t go down without a fight.

You will defend.

You will defend your ideas and beliefs,

Standing strong against your own motifs.

We will all defend the actions we make,

Even if they are big mistakes.

Defend your actions, defend your talk,

To which people disagree you should never balk.

I will defend.

Anna Marie, age 16