I returned to New Orleans and my problems with pari-mutuel windows and a dark-haired, milk-skinned wife from Martinique who went home with men from the Garden District while I was passed out in a houseboat on Lake Pontchartrain, the downdraft of U.S. Army helicopters flattening a plain of elephant grass in my dreams.
The narrator reflects on his troubled life in New Orleans, revealing a connection to gambling issues and a tumultuous relationship with his wife from Martinique. He paints a vivid picture of his struggles, saying that while he was lost in his own world on a houseboat, his wife would seek company from others. This situation highlights deep feelings of betrayal and inadequacy.
Amidst this personal turmoil, the narrator refers to haunting memories of the Army helicopters, which symbolize his inner battles and past experiences. The imagery of flattening grass during his dreams underscores a chaotic and unsettling life, revealing the ongoing conflict between his desires and harsh realities.
