Washed Away My Experience With Katrina

Innocent victims cry in the dark Forced to take refuge in that park Such wrath began to fall For I shall never forget the day I got that call Silence and sorrow heavy in the air It was like nothing I could ever compare Days turned to weeks Thousands take dwelling beseeching for any relief Thousands left waiting in utter disbelief I was supposed to be deployed Yet an injury kept me here My fellow workers attacked at the dome Traumatized and in complete fear some had to return home I feel so guilty So guilty I should have been there Innocent victims crying Innocent victims now dying An event so devastating The stench of death filled the air We could not fathom something so unfair I counseled innocent victims Still sticking strong to their convictions I still recall every haunting voice Confused, frustrated and displaced Innocent victims left without a choice Families torn apart on that day The day the levees broke Families losing all hope My job was to help them cope Innocent victims left to cry in a park Fear increases when light turns to dark Like declaring Martial Law Lives washed away, all humanity started to fall On the dawn of a new day So joyous… even an atheist bowed her head to pray The media coverage was what really brought aid Oh no! Politicians began to look bad so of course something had to be done Late in action but at least more help had come There is still work to be had Many left permanently sad Entering in hundreds of names to locate the missing or those declared dead Debriefed each night just to clear my head I still remember so clearly the desperation and panic When Katrina came in August Life turned frantic Overwhelming emotions; I felt completely manic I will never forget the victims I helped in such grief I hope when the bodies were identified; I wish just some… Some could give a sigh of relief It is important we do not forget those still suffering The child who didn’t get the last kiss The parents who will be dearly missed We all have the ability to help 1,836 people dead! Work together and ease the sorrow… Another disaster could just happen tomorrow Make time to reach out So many innocent victims still in need We all are capable of doing a good deed