Part 1. The Tall Trees Under Which, We Grew

(Authors Note: Since this is an unconventional kind of novel, I have decided on an unconventional style of wtiting. Through the course of this book, I shall alternate POV, prose/peorty, and a few modern writing styles known to most users of the internet. I do this, not to confuse the reader, but to add greater scale and scope to the story and because this is an experimental novel and because, quite frankly, I was never the sort to go in for convention anyway. In addition, chapter lengths will likewise be unconventional. Some will be long, others, quite short depending on what needs to be said. Again, as this is an unconventional form of Novel...a novel kind of novel, I think I can get away with it. Enjoy and please, contribute. C. J. Oakes)

Chapter One: The Cockroach and the Crawfish

Andy Foster picked up a newspaper first thing every morning. He liked the local paper. It carried the usual assortment of political punditries, local happenings, and world news, but it also carried a segment from a bygone era. It was a throwback to all so-called good journalism today and he was sure that someone had to fight long and hard to get the editorial staff to approve it, but there it was every day, like the sunrise, on page three of Section C: The Poem of the Day.

It was really nothing more than a showcase, a feel good public relations piece for the paper, but for Andy, it was like a cool glass of homemade lemonade on a hot, August afternoon back home. His mother used to read poetry to him when he was growing up and while he had strayed from that path as an adult, he was finding a certain joy again in reading page three, Section C. Today, however, particulary struck him, for it could only have been written by someone from back home. Only a certified Coon-Ass, as Louisiana Cajuns are known in slang, could have come up with something as odd and yet, still so thought-provoking as today's peom.

Andy kicked back and read.

The Cockroach and the Crawfish

By C. J. Oakes

The bag was dragged to the cooking pot
and each small, red creature knew of its lot.
The Boiling water, so strong and so foul,
The first to enter did wail, scream, and howl.

But one escaped, he knew not just how;
When the bag flew open, he slipped out and now,
began to scurry off to safer land
hoping to avoid the hot cauldren's hand.

He skipped across a surface of "rock,"
as a cockroach appeared and started to mock;
For the roach was awaiting a morsel or scrap;
The thing that the humans would all call "L'agnappe."

For anything living the roach could not eat
and waiting for discards, he would take a seat.
But this one would threaten the entire feast;
The roach had to stop this tiny red beast.

So quickly he scurried out on the dance floor
as the crawfish made way for a wide open door;
And raising a ruckus, he started to point
at the crawfish a'trying to leave the joint.

But a lady, on seeing the helpful cockroach
screamed and retreated, but a man did approach.
And raising his foot high up in the air,
he crushed the cockroach with nary a care.

On reaching the door, the crawfish did bow,
and honor his friend for helping him wow
The crowd, so that they, never saw twice,
The fish leave the door, for the bug's sacrifice.

Oakes, huh? Andy thought to himself? Not a cajun name. He wondered who this guy was who had obviously, like himself, located here from there. Clearly, the guy had lived a considerable time in Louisiana, but what had made him come to Lubock? Was it the hurricanes, Rita and Katrina in particular? Or was it a woman? It's usually a woman.

Andy was intrigued. He loved the poem and he wondered if the writer had anymore like it? He decided that he would try to look up the author and meet him, if he was willing. The two might have much in common.

(Authors Note: This is the end of Chapter One. What do you think? Should the two meet? Will they become friends or enemies? Why? And why did each relocate to Lubbock, Texas from somewhere in Louisiana? Where in Louisiana? Send any input/suggestions you'd like. For what shoud be obvious reasons I cannot incorporate all ideas, but I will use as many as possible. Thank you. Jeff)