12,000 awoke September 9th, 1900

in the morn, would soon be mourning

As a category 4 hurricane was on its

way - would receive no warning.

The bureaucrats in Washington, DC

ignored the Cubans, after all, they

couldn't even remember the Maine

And the local forecasters didn't see

the signs that the waves were growing.

High tides began to flood the streets

As children played in water that was

soon waist deep - heavy swells ('for

whom the swell tolls . . .') appeared

But blue skies dissipated any fears.

Mid-morning brought rain, afternoon

brought 145 mph winds - then sudden

darkness appeared like the Four

Horsemen of the Apocalypse, its

power was now quickly interpreted.

The storm made its exit, like a

hungry shark does after a meal

The city immediately began the

grueling task of rebuilding, after

it burned its faceless bodies.

Galveston would never be the same

Even with new facades to cover

memories lost - seawalls were put

up, meant to keep residents in, and

the sea out . . . a lesson learned?

'2008' RLS