In a drowned house
water rushes through
the corners of seams
over pine floors,
soffits and studs,
stairs and rooftops
flood water rises as
cries drift upon night winds
flooding hope into turmoil
clawing the bank of deliverance
bayous border riddles of
the vanishing shoreline
flood gates set free
relics from the past
the sea’s undeniable gasp
the hard wash of the earth
Who can fell these tides of anguish?
Sorrowful waves crash
the broken dreams of
ancient mariners
no albatross flies here
tainted water
blood to loss
the endless gurgle
graves to surface
water submerges ground
the outward creeping puddle
the churning wake of disaster
A moving depiction of reality for so many right now.
Thanks you, Holly. xo
You’re welcome xo
As a non-swimmer, massive flooding would be my worst nightmare. It makes me nervous just reading this, prickles of dread and adrenaline. The lines that got me were “clawing the bank of deliverance” and “the churning wake of disaster.” I also liked “Who can fell these tides of anguish?” which could be a rhetorical religious question or an inwardly focused musing or both. Well done, Lana. Praying for you and your fellow Texans; I hope you are safe and out of harm’s way. 🙂
Thank you so much Joan for the very gracious comments. It is truly a devastating ordeal. I don’t live near the coast, we are situated in North Texas right on the border of Oklahoma where I get a double dose of Bible lessons 😀 I do have two daughters that live in Houston, but they were not flooded. They were fortunate and we are ever so grateful!
I had to chuckle at the “double dose of Bible lessons.” Your comment is a nice counterbalance. It is a very moving poem. I’m happy that you and your family are all safe. Hugs.
Thank you so much, Teagan. Yep, they don’t call it the Bible Belt for nothin’ ha ha 😀
You capture the tragedy with such powerful images, Lana. I can see the water everywhere in your words. My heart goes out to those who are losing everything.
Thank you, Diana. It is truly heartbreaking, I can’t even imagine that experience.
I am glad to hear you and your immediate family are safe Lana. Your words capture some of the ordeal – which must be just dreadful to be enduring.
Oh yes, Pauline, I don’t know how those people can endure, it is just so horrendous. I am glad my girls weathered this storm, I was on pins and needles about it!
It’s awful when our loved ones are in an area of crisis isn’t it – I do know those pins and needles!
We’ve been watching this on the news every day and can’t begin to imagine what the flood victims are going through. My heart goes out to everyone there. 💕
Oh Betty, it is truly heartbreaking. I lived in Houston for 12 years, and my two girls currently live there. They were very fortunate. It will take many people who lost everything so long to recover. Thank you for your kind words. xo
Wish there was a way that everyone could be helped more quickly. Just can’t even imagine…. I have a cousin in Sherman Texas and another in San Antonio… thankfully they’re safe.
I know, it’s terrible why it takes so long. My neighbor’s daughter had to flee her house for here, she lost everything, but at least she is alive.
I’m so sorry for your neighbor’s daughter, and all the others in the same situation…. 💙
Thank you so much, Betty. xo
Haunting capture of the hurricane’s aftermath, Lana. Glad you’re far enough away to avoid the flood waters; glad, too, your daughters are staying dry! Enjoy your Labor Day!
Such devastation….it is really hard to watch. I’m so happy that my girls were safe in all that, I am always after them to take off, but they don’t listen, but then again, I understand, they have homes, animals, etc. Thank you so much, happy Labor Day to you also, Debbie!
A well captured sentiment, I should think.
Tough subject matter for sure….
Many associations in this watery elegy …
Ah Dave, you are quite an astute observer. Are you by chance an English Lit professor?
Thank you. I taught English in an 11-18 school.
English teachers rock!
That’s what I got them to copy out as a punishment … 😉
And I had done an hellish thing,
And it would work ’em woe:
For all averr’d, I had kill’d the bird
That made the breeze to blow.
Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay,
That made the breeze to blow!
Personally, I like it. More kids should have to copy it. 😀
Aha, I meant the phrase you used! I wouldn’t have got them to copy poetry as a punishment, though I did set it as a pleasure!
Most definitely. The kiddos I work with would view it as punishment, they don’t even know quality literature when they see it anymore.
Ah well, the modern world has its own problems – perhaps we should all be writing movie scenarios …
Glad you and your family are all right, Lana. It’s such a traumatic time for those affected by this hurricane. A wonderful poem to share at this time… Take care.
Thank you so much, Iris. It is truly a devastating event. Have a good week. xo
You too, Lana. Much love
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
Thanks so much, John!
You are very graciously welcome so much, Lana.
A nightmare come true for so many. Your words are haunting.
It really is a nightmare. My heart aches for so many right now. So glad you are safe, Jo. xo
Lana, such a horrendous occasion captured with great physicality and the waters are gushing and gurgling throughout your poem reinforcing this tragedy. My thoughts are with all the thousands affected…whilst the news organisations go away I realise the real job of re-building homes and lives only starts.
It is truly devastating, these tragedies. It really looks as if we might have one of the worst hurricane seasons ever. Thank you for your kind words, Annika.
Keep safe, Lana and I was happy to hear your daughters were safe. xx
Thank you, Annika. Yes, it has been very frightening, and of course, I tried to get them to leave before it hit. I was on pins and needles, and with all that flooding, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Hope you are having a good week. xoxo
A haunting poem in these terrible times of disasters chasing one another. I’m so glad you and your loved ones are safe! 😄😘
It is truly a frightening time, Sarah. Thank you so much for your good wishes, I am glad too. We realize how much there is to be thankful for. Blessings, xoxo
Hi Lana, I know how you’ve been, you and your fellow Texan citizens! It was sad to see reality struck before our very own eyes – nature defeating us so badly. The way we love and adore nature lovingly, the battle is hard. I hope you and your family are safe. Lovely poem!
Thank you so much, Juli. It was so sad to see so many people devastated by these hurricanes. My family was very fortunate and we are so grateful. Hope you are having a good week.
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