Join us as we welcome Joy Castro, an acclaimed author whose literary thrillers set in post-Katrina New Orleans have captivated readers worldwide. Joy's personal adoption story and her poignant short story, Giving Jewel Away, featured in the anthology A Ghost at Heart's Edge, offer a deeply moving exploration of longing, love, and the search for origins.  Alongside Joy, we are honored to host Albert Rouzie, a multi-talented musician with roots in New Orleans and a life journey that spans North Carolina, Portland, and Texas. Albert, with his diverse musical career and heartfelt connections to adoption through his nieces and nephew, will enchant us with his soulful compositions, including a special performance of his song I Will Never.  From the evocative narratives crafted by Joy's pen to the stirring melodies composed by Albert, this episode promises an unforgettable exploration of art and the human experience. Tune in to hear their inspiring stories, their creative processes, and their reflections on how art can foster compassion, understanding, and a sense of belonging.  Join us for a journey that celebrates the power of creativity and the connections that unite us all.  

I Will Never by Albert Rouzie

I will nevers are piling up
I will never have good standing posture.
I will never go to Transylvania.
I will never
Love another the way I love you.
I will never return to the land of my birth,
Nor see Haley’s comet pass by the Earth,
Never learn to play the jazz guitar, or sight-read music notation.
I hope you never doubt it’s true:
I will never love another
The way I love you.
I’ll never say never when never is all there is.
We may never sing on the same wavelength,
Yet we vibrate so harmoniously,
And I hope you believe
I will never love another
The way I love thee.
Forever I will never. Forever never.
Ever never, never ever, forever
I will never hike the Appalachian Trail,
Run bravely forward as bullets hail.
Never see a socialist head of the States.
What you need I will never naysay.
How can I say no when you look at me that way?
We will lose everything that we’ve got.
Yet our love will roving play,
Like children sent out into the world,
Our love will spread far and wide.
A seed with warmth and water will ever abide.
I hope you never doubt it’s true:
I will never love another
The way I love you.

Guest Links: https://www.joycastro.com/#bio https://albertrouzie.bandcamp.com/album/late-for-the-war

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