Matthew

He forced his way in 
'Matthew' they said his name was 
He completely blew a hole in our lives 
Obliterating out modest homes 
Like a deck of cards 
life was tumbling before our eyes 
Those who tried to stand firm against him 
were picked up and cast away 
to one side as if meagre grains of sand 
What we lost then cannot be replaced 
It's the evidential costs of his wanton eye 
the specifics of reality 
that were plucked 
tossed and stolen 
He cared not that he was taking 
their hearts and ours 
Those families - villages - towns and nations 
were left to pick up pieces and count the cost 
of his unruly behaviour 
The families in particular of Haiti and Florida 
will be scarred from surviving his outrage 
and many tears will fall 
because of our inability 
to tame this monster from his rampage 
and prevent him from leaving 
in his unashamed sulk 
only then to be replaced 
by the next perpetrator 
wreaking havoc with their power and control 
over the threads of life dangling in its wake
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Devers Avatar
April 22, 2017 at 1:32 PM
Ah, gotcha - Hurricane Matthew. I clicked on this poem because Matthew is my son's name. Great poem, glad I found it - ain't life arbitrary sometimes? And fragile, too, in the face of nature's limitless power.
Docherty Avatar
April 25, 2017 at 3:36 AM
Thanks Tony, your comments on nature so right of course. I'm so glad you stumbled upon this poem even because of your son's name. Incidentally I nearly called my boys Matthew but there were so many baby's in the hospital with same name at that time I chose otherwise.
Kimathi Avatar
October 24, 2016 at 5:05 AM
Great imagery and deep.... Congrats Anna, for your placement in the contest!! ;-)
Docherty Avatar
October 24, 2016 at 5:32 AM
Thanks for your kindness of comment and visit Teddy, good to see you here.
Lamoureux Avatar
October 19, 2016 at 8:28 AM
The name they chose for this one is somewhat Ironic. Matthew means Gift from God. Great personification, a very sad reality for so many.
Docherty Avatar
October 19, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Hadn't thought of that Richard, yes very strange one to pick - maybe a warped sense of humour? Appreciate your coming by to read and comment! Thank you.
Dietrich Avatar
October 11, 2016 at 12:36 AM
it's very curious how we give them names, and you really did a great personification of this most unwelcome visitor, Anna-marie. Long time no see, HOw are you?
Docherty Avatar
October 11, 2016 at 8:38 AM
Hey good to see you - hugs, yeah still much the same this end, thanks. Appreciate your never ending views my friend... glad you found a new one! Anything new to tell? How are you doing?
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