The Storm named Harvey (bh & ah) 2017
we were warned fox and farmer songbirds and butterflies
the storm was on the horizon a category four before landfall
the water choppy and would continue to ravage during the night
and the days that followed/ the wind blew the rain fell
songbirds ceased to sing the streets began to flow like rivers
when the rains stopped and the sun began to shine i rubbed my eyes
it was a place i no longer knew the last tomatoes on the vine were swept away
along with cars and trucks pets and patio furniture homes flooded
damage was everywhere it was like an evil spell only to be broken
by the goodness of the heart neighbor helping neighbor lives saved
tomorrow we begin again in a new world
time will be divided by (bh) before harvey and (ah) after harvey
September 3, 2017
Note: It is only the beginning of hurricane season, for many years we have been warned, the storms will be bigger, and will do more damage. The sea will become the enemy, people will flee to higher ground.
I was not there for Harvey, but the Texas Gulf Coast is where I was born and where I lived until I moved to the mountains some 20 years ago. There were many storms while I lived there, but none as bad as Harvey, and it is probable that Harvey will not be the last. My poem was based on my experience of past storms.
13 comments:
You give the storm due homage
Annell, I didnt know that you hailed from Texas. The newscasts must make you sad. I, too, have been so impressed by how heroic ordinary people become in such situations, all perceived differences forgotten, human helping fellow human. You have described it well. We will be seeing more of these climactic events, I am afraid.
thank you I enjoyed this very much.
As metaphor this is truly heartbreaking
"it was a place i no longer knew the last tomatoes on the vine were swept away"
much love...
Alas... I wonder if there will be Harvey after Harvey... and reading about Asia flooding coinciding I think we will see more in years to come.
Storms are still gonna come. Bigger and bolder I think.A very well thought out piece.
Yes, there is a horrible inevitability about it. Your description (based on recollections) vividly recreates the details.
You have given a vivid picture of what it is like, Annell. I do think that Harvey is a sign of things to come. But, of course, there is NO climate change. Sigh.
A very vivid and moving poem. I weep to think of the last tomatoes, people, and pets swept away. But I also smile to think of the very human commitment to rescue and helping these people. Your poem moved me to tears.
Descriptive and poignant. You're right, nothing will ever be the same. So sad.
Humankind has always tempted nature when they chose to settle somewhere, thinking that long term gain would outweigh the danger of raging wind, flood, earthquake, or avalanche. It works for most of the time but then nature will remind us not to be complacent as it is in charge!
Poignant and well captured. The worst hurricane I went through was Wilma. It was tough. My heart breaks for all the people affected by Harvey.
"it was a place i no longer knew the last tomatoes on the vine were swept away" ..this is so touching..
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