Ed. Kostro a statue must be erected for you in N.Orleans before you pass away. I would visit and take pictures of that memorial which stay living in my soul for ever. I say this because of your
tireless efforts to help the abandoned animals and the stories you make about them to make us feel the pain with them. Once more Thanks Ed.
Abdi-Noor

enormous sadness evident in your writing

Ed, this is absolutely outstanding, you describe the horror and tragic loss so very well, this poem moved me so deeply this morning, I am so saddened for the suffering these people endured and the hardships they continue to suffer.

Reindeer

This is so sad I do not know what to say!!

Thanks for sharing Eddie!!

Love Tinky

Notice how the tree continues to live, soaking in the sunshine, experiencing the moment. Mankinds creations can be rebuilt but the city will never be the same........it really shouldn't be should it?

we are are so might as a race, and yet so fragile
from the animals, to flora, to homo sapiens.......
we are so fragile

faith is stong

maybe its all we have in the long run???

that
and each other :)
pax A

images seared into the collective thought, manifesting the imperfection of mankind's creations ...

I have read all of the comments and I agree in whole or in part to all.
However, the answer is well hidden from us. No one can give this answer. Also, I personally believe we should stop blaming. How do you know who are to blame if you did not walk in their shoes. These are natural disasters and this generation is fortunate in knowing ahead of time what to expect and to be ready. The alarm went out loud and clear. It was not expected that the levee would break. We have seen many storms here in Louisiana but never one like this. The city of N>O> ,Port city, was used for import and export of merchndise and possibly people before cars, airplanes and even trains. That was the means of transportation--Do you think they had the foresight to see into the future?. I don't think so. I have lived many years and have seen many changes--some are good and progress must go on. We have the quanity but I do not think we have the quality. nuf said--We live too fast--Our work is done in a hurry--we cannot compete with the artist of the past--nor the craftsman--nor in the wisdom of our parents and grandparents--nor even our forefathers who built this country. It maybe we will have to slow down and live a little.

For us here in the UK, it's really hard to imagine the enormity of this disaster and how it's devastated peoples lives. Thank you for your painfully vivid insight and your compassion Ed, you truly are a saint my friend.

Paul;-)

The kind of images you have seen can never be erased, they can only grow dimmer with time, but will remain in the shadows of your mind ready to jump out and startle you when you are at your weakest. I don't think there are answers in this phase of life Ed, but I know for sure, that God does not punish this way. He allows what happens because we have free will and lets face it, humanity does not plan very well. For example, New Orleans is no place to build a city unless you also, plan to protect it properly. Humanity just throws things up recklessly or tears them down the same way never looking to the future, of what it entails and what the results will be. Americans are the worst when it comes to impatience, and shortsightedness. Ill send you some pics sherry sent me of the levee's in foreign countries compared to our. It's a good example of how behind we are in designing good infrastructure.And it's all the presidents and governments, faults not just this one! As always an excellent write from you Ed. Bless you!

Tiger Lily

Nature's wrath comes from man's neglect. God in His compassion gives us warnings which we choose to disregard. His compassion shines through you, Ed, in true expression of His love. Bless you for all you do. Peace from pain, dear one...Lin

(((((Ed)))))

Nightmarish scenes play on the canvas of your mind, it's hard to erase what you've seen. Hopefully, you will continue to be an angel for our four legged friends and change those images into positive ones. You are in my prayers--thought provoking, painful poetry from a compassionate heart that wishes they could do more.

Love, Karla.

This photo shows the worst part of human nature, to try to put the blame on God and use that as a reason to spread the ignorance of a belief not even remotely close to Jesus' message. Thought-provoking-

There is no way to ever be prepared for such a huge disaster, Ed. The individuals must plan ahead as much as possible and listen to the warnings that are given to them. The local officials need to be prepared to be the first on the scene and have access to such things as food, water and a means of sheltering their people. Hopefuully, as time goes on,more assistance will filter in, but we each must be as prepared as possible to deal with our own survival and that of our families. When we look back at 9-11, another disaster, the local support was on the scene very quickly..still, the fate of those who perished was sealed from the very start. One of the worst things about New Orleans is that there still is very little local support helping to rebuild the city, other than volunteers such as yourself. The city is without revenue, the state unwilling to pay rebuild the levees or finance local law enforcement, firefighters, contractors, etc, and the people unwilling to return to what was once their home, fearing or knowing that nothing by pain remains there and the possibility of what happened, happening again. Coming from Shakey Town, I have always kept my provisions in case of a major earthquake and even now that I live where there is little threat of natural disaster, I still keep what I know that I will need if disaster should strike. We all need to attend preparedness classes or at least learn about it from the internet. When the sh** hits the fan, believe me, any who don't have to be in it's path, will not be there. I cannot begin to realize your horror, Ed, but I do belive that it is very real and that these are scenes that will play over and over in your mind for a very long time. We have tried to outsmart nature but as we have witnessed time and time again, she always comes out the victor.
Take care,
Sherry

There are many sources of tragedy
and this one speaks of total pain.
You've captured that here Ed!

According to the the bible God gave us a choice in the Garden of Eden Ed and we chose our freedom. Freedom comes with a price tag. So we're here and have to do the best we can now. In my thinking God doesn't do any harm to man Ed, I don't waste my day blaming him. I do thank him for not letting it be any worse. Things could always be worse than they are Ed, great poem to open this frame of thought up, and just keep on praying and take advantage of the good. You're a great humanitarian Ed, that in itself is a gift

Last year was bad. Sadly this year may be far worse.
Your heart is on your sleves my kind friend...
But in our hearts we all know why this is happening.
A decade ago was the chance to prevent it. Yet the $ speaks with more power. Power corrupts. Ultimate power corrupts ultimately.. as we know. It is too late for many areas. Yet many can still be saved. But we now have to prepare ourselves for the horrors in the hurricane and tornado belt ahead. As well as those on the fault lines. Under the sea is a record amount of quakes, only a matter of time for land.
Nature has no friends or enemies. Wonder what horrors we will be writing about in 8 months?

Eddie,

Stark, powerful read; these horrific images WON'T go away anytime soon; and I am sorry you had to see some of them. God bless you, and thank you for caring for those in need, both animal and human! You are an angel personafied! :)

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(

I know how horrible images can linger on well after you see the reality of them in person. ;) Silver

A very impressive way to spell out what so many feel.
Birgit and Roger

Oh, Ed. I'm ravaged in the soul over this. What a potent write! People keep asking me have I been back home yet. I haven't and don't know if I could take it if I went. The pictures relatives send alone level me sometimes. Thank you. ~~Nordette

No, we will not be ready. There are those still in denial about global warming and its resultant manifestations to come... let alone the lack of institutional support for those in times of dire need... When Mother Earth hits back, she does so without regard of socio-political standing.
Vividly scribed, Ed. You are a master.
Peace and Blessings,
Carolyn

On March 7th 1962 a storm rolled up the eastern seaboard, only a storm but with 3 days of northeast winds, an unusually high tide and a full moon the NJ coastline was devastated...homes were taken into the ocean never to be seen again, my home had its first floor torn out making it lean seaward, the island we lived on was cut off and the National guard made us exit in helicopters...I was but 7, and I remember how fast the island came back, all ready it was for the summer of 62' a few mere months away...there was governmental support of course but no constant reminder, no one touted the "end of the world", life went on with but a few changes...I realize that New Orleans is a big city and a special one, but Sea Isle city, my home was leveled, as were other small islands on the NJ seashore and they came back, just as Nawlin's will do in time...sorry to rant, just a point of reference for those who live in that devastated area...by the way, all the animals in Sea Isle city survived and were taken care of by their owners in someway, if not actually they went with their owners into helicopters and rescued from the destruction as well...I hope you find peace in your thoughts, Ed & Rufuz

Good write Ed and it's one memory I can't shake esp when I see our president...he has been to war quicker then New Orleans..

How these people cope after losing everything is beyond me. There but for the grace of God go I.

It will take a lot to shift those stark and tragic images from all our subconciouses Ed !
Perhaps they are there to be imprinted indelibly in our minds, to show us that there are indeed some things we have absolutely no control over
Vivid and dramatic picture reminds us again of the carnage of New Orleans !
Peter