GatorBites→ C is for Cajun

Author Unknown

A is for Acadia, a place far away.
The cajuns were exiled to the bayou to stay.

B is for Boudin, so loaded with spice,
a rich cajun sausage of blood, pork and rice.

C is for crevi, a crawfish so small,
you'll need forty dozen if you plan to feed all.

D is for dame, a good cajun wife.
When vows are exchanged she'll keep them for life.

E is for etouffee. It's better than stew.
If I eat my fill, there'll be none for you.

F is for fais do do, a fine Cajun dance.
It'll last till morning — go if you get the chance.

G is for gumbo. Need I say more?
Take one small helping — you then may want four.

H is for hurricane. With wind and with rain,
it blows through the marshes and levels the terrain.

I is for igloo. You'll not find one here.
(You'll never see one in the southland, I fear.)

J is for jambalaya, a fine cajun dish.
Where good food is common, it's all one could wish.

K is for kerchief. Mama wears it on her head.
She'll not remove it till she's ready for bed.

L is for lagniappe. To round out the trade,
something extra pitched in and no charge is made.

M is for Mardi Gras. With a laugh and a song,
it's also Fat Tuesday with parades all day long.

N is for nainaine, one's own dear godmother.
She'll always be near you — greater love hath no other.

O is for ouanga, to cast off the spell,
of witches' bad voodoo — how she'll not tell.

P is for pirogue. It floats on the dew,
or muddy swamp water that never is blue.

Q is for quay, to tie up the boat.
If you don't make it fast, away it will float.

R is for roux, a base for the sauce.
With browned flour in oil, no flavor is lost.

S is for shrimp boat, with nets on its side.
When gulf shrimp are running, it sails with the tide.

T is for Tabasco, a fiery red sauce.
If you drink it down straight, it'll show you who's boss.

U is for utensil, to set on the coals,
and hold all the barbeque, gumbo and rolls.

V is for vielle, an old lady or wife.
A faithful companion, she'll remain so for life.

W is for willow, so dreary and sad.
It'll make a cool shade for a tired, weary lad.

X marks the spot, on Jean Lafitte's map.
You may find some treasure; you'll likely find scrap.

Y is for yam, to cook with the possum.
If you eat it with rice then red cheeks will blossom.

Z is for zombie, a frightful mean ghost.
If you ever cross him, he'll burn you to toast.

Now you know your ABC's, as every Cajun should.
You can talk with fluent ease; they'll understand you good.