Countdown To Shame
Day one; Katrina arrives and all the rich leave
till the only ones left are the poor and naive.
And sea and air meet in a mass of screaming death
as some of the sick and injured breathe their last breath.
Day two; levees fail and water floods the city
hospital shelters are abandoned to pity.
And those scooped from rooftops are featured on the news
while others wait for rescue and the clean up crews.
Day three; as looting and gang violence disrupt
strangers huddle in the dark when gun shots erupt.
And cops barricade themselves and won’t come out
although suffering and crime fester all about.
Day four; fire and corpses add shame to the scene
while survivors get angry at clichés that demean.
For how long must they suffer how many must die
are we deaf to their pleas do we not hear their cry?
Day five; President Bush tries to deflect the blame
sending food with the army help finally came.
And the people of New Orleans rose to cheer
finally freed from five days of hunger and fear.
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