I've had a dry spell of poetry for quite some time. On the evening of May 27th, 2011, I was inspired to write this poem and it wrote itself in 5 minutes. Sometimes
I thought I had the worst of luck or the worst of luck had the best of me.
No ship could ever survive such a rocky, tumultuous and jealous sea.
And I felt just as lost…drowned…pushed to the sandy surface far below.
My rudder lost to the darkest waters without even the moon’s faintest glow.
Each night, I worried about tomorrow as though I even had that much control.
Each night, I worried whether my own country would learn to tax my very soul.
Each night, I dreamed of childhood and innocence that has long since wilted away.
No worries, no hardships…ah, just to be able to kick back and forever play.
I bargained to God and Devil – but neither seemed to listen to my hurt voice.
I bargained with myself to keep on breathing…as though my lungs really bore that choice.
I pitied myself for how hard life had become and wonder how it would get worse…
I was struggling to feed myself and living poorer than a gypsy’s strongest curse.
But that all changed on a Sunday…No words can express my sheer feeling of grief.
No matter what hardships came my way, it would forever feel like much needed relief.
Because I was able to leave my home and return without the permission of the wind.
So many homes set to timbers…so many people missing…when God erased Joplin.
Ironic, how the day before, that some were preaching the rapture would occur.
Can we say that this town ascended to Heaven without the need of death’s quick burn?
What did those folks do to deserve such fate…every precious thing just taken away
by the fury of the wind…invisible hands…Invisible rush of wings that dark day…
Sifting through what was once a town…pets…loved ones…homes…a hospital…
forced to the ground.Erased.Destroyed.The wind had taken them all.
Missing persons fliers haunt our vision of folks that were here and then were gone.
To feel that I have had misfortune, now feels selfish, petty and wrong.
But that all changed on Sunday…No words can express my sheer feeling of grief.
No matter what hardships came my way, it would forever feel like much needed relief.
Because I still have my home and my burdens…and never touchedsuch a vicious wind
Never witness such a scene. Never witness such a sky. Never witnessed Joplin.
I can sense the gripping anguish but yet simultaneously sense of relief, reverberating throughout your words.
Nothing can really detail the scale of the tragedy that has befallen Joplin.
Save us all from the wrath of God.
SEEING THE DEVASTATION OF OTHERS THAT ARE WORSE OFF THAN US DOES CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE; 'I COMPLAINED THAT I HAD NO SHOES, 'TIL I SAW A MAN THAT HAD NO FEET'. ALL WE CAN DO FOR JOPLIN IS PRAY THAT GOD WILL KEEP THEM ENCOURAGED AS THEY BEGIN TO TRY AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES. A WELL WRITTEN WORK. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
I pray I never see a Joplin here in North Central Texas. My heart breaks for these folk. This has been a horrible year, storm wise ... so many affected, so many killed. It's affected me, as well. Excellent poem, Lori, I've missed you.
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I can sense the gripping anguish but yet simultaneously sense of relief, reverberating throughout your words.
Nothing can really detail the scale of the tragedy that has befallen Joplin.
Save us all from the wrath of God.
Peter
Sheila
belief that Joplin lives on in your heart and your words. -gene.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.