Rev. Rebecca Guile Hudson Poet Epitaph

Fortune's Reversal

Fortune’s Reversal

Today is Labor Day 2005 –
A day of loving & compassionate labors

As I gather up clothes to help them survive,
to bring hope to the hearts of my neighbors

                  --savagely displaced
                    loves they can’t replace
                    homes & jobs erased 
                    & tears roll down their face—

They look to the world, call out to all nations
Overwhelmed with grief & rampant despairing

They have no outlet to vent their frustrations
They feel their God is no longer caring

                 --lives underwater
                   no one could stop her
                   still gone the laughter
                   many months after—

There was no taming this furious shrew
As she destroyed and uprooted lives

Katrina was murderous all the way through
& did not care who or what would survive

                 --hugely impersonal
                   a raging dispersal
                   no dress-rehearsal
                   fortune’s reversal--

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Sue Mason October 11, 2008 at 5:09 PM Beautifully written tribute to a very tragic day and as we continue to have tragic days, how quickly what is news becomes passe within a shorter and shorter period of time and aid is no longer given without reminders!! Very well-deserved feature this week. It sure got me thinking ... smile ... Congratulations, Rebecca!!

Sharon Winter October 6, 2008 at 11:37 AM Rebecca, where are you? I have truly missed hearing from you. Hope all is well. Congratulations dear friend on your wonderful poetry being featured this week. Love, Shar

Vince Suzadail Jr. October 6, 2008 at 9:23 AM Congratulations Reverand, on "Fortune's Reversal" being featured this week on Poetry Soup. Vince

Michael Jordan October 5, 2008 at 9:38 PM Rebecca this poem is very well written and it truly lets the reader feel the horrific tragedy to the lives that were so devastated - congrats on being featured - God Bless Reverend

Carrie Richards October 5, 2008 at 5:41 PM You put such emotion into this tragic time! Well done! ~Carrie

October 5, 2008 at 3:06 PM This is such a powerful piece capturing an aspect of the devastation after Katrina. Congratulations on having your well-written poem featured. I wish you continued success with your writing. Karen