It’s an annual tradition...
For generations past...
This ain’t our first Mardi Gras...
And it won’t be our last...

We all arrived early...
At least a week or more…
To set up our Mardi Gras ladders...
Just like our parents did before...

We scope our perfect spot...
In the same block every year...
Friends and family celebratin’ together...
The port o’ potty is always near...

Now if I run off...
To drain my full bladder...
Don’t take away...
Our Mardi Gras ladder...

Da parades are startin’...
As our pulses quickin’...
Da ice chests are full...
We got our Popeye’s fried chicken...

The parents are near by...
It’s a family affair...
Everybody’s havin’ fun...
With Grammy sittin’ in her chair...

The kids are sittin’ on top...
Brotha sittin’ next to sista...
There all ready to start shoutin’...
“Throw me somethin’ Mista!”

Now if I run off...
To drain my full bladder...
Don’t take away...
Our Mardi Gras ladder...

Our cousins and uncles...
Are ridin’ on our side of the float...
All the families are shoutin’ loud...
We gonna getta sore throat...

The riders know where to look...
To throw their children the beads...
We’re all on our Mardi Gras ladders...
To fill our Mardi Gras needs...

It’s an annual tradition…
For generations past…
This isn’t our first Mardi Gras…
And it won’t be our last…

Now if I run off…
To drain my full bladder…
Don’t take away…
Our Mardi Gras ladder…

© 2022 Jeffrey Pipes Guice
My Wonder Years: A Book