AFTERMATH

by LaRue Watts



The condo men in bonding mode
Are telling tales of how they rode
Relentless winds that came along
And sang a deadly Siren's song.
Their wives are more concerned with need,
Electric, water, mouths to feed.
The children celebrate their way.
No school for them, again today.

The fallen trees are all around
With roots torn out of soggy ground.
And flooded streets are not the norm
But have been ever since the storm.
All crossroads are a four-way stop.
At some of them, a friendly cop.
While gas is still a driver's dream,
The trucks are coming, it would seem.

When normal days return again,
Will tales expand from condo men?
Those lucky ones will often tell
About that night of living hell.
It was a time to not go through
And yet we did.  Because of you
I found the nerve to struggle on
Remembering a brighter dawn
In darkest times, I never planned,
I found a light within your hand.
And with that comfort all along
I  knew we'd come through, Naples strong!

SURVIVAL (IRMA VERSION)

by LaRue Watts

We placed a pallet on the floor
Within a safe room, just one door.
No windows that might break or shatter
And there we stayed throughout the clatter.

It soon became a place of prayer
With howling winds from everywhere.
Our cat would join in, now and then
A howl? Or was it an "Amen."

The cell phone was our only link
With what was Naples on the brink.
"The worst is over" said the voice
And so we made another choice.

We ventured out to see what was
While fearing for the worst because
Of all the noise and havoc wrought
But all our fears had been for naught.

No damage to our living space
What joy will now fill up the place!
The nightmare still had plans to share,
A day of unconditioned air.

It lasted a full twenty-four
With sweat exuding every pore.
At last, a break, electric on
The battle now was surely won.

And in reflection, friends who care
Gave Him the strength to answer prayer.

SURVIVAL

by LaRue Watts

We all have days when the sun won't shine
And storm clouds will assail us.
But I find rain is just a sign
Tomorrow will not fail us.

To get through life with ups and downs
No matter how one's pain grows
When smiling skies show only frowns,
You must remember rainbows.