Grow as a poet. Get honest feedback on your work. — Register Free
Submitted by hippiepoet69 on 8 February 2010 - 7:12pm.
Style / Type:
freeform
Katrina, Katrina, you kicked me when I was down
crushed in my house and I almost down
sitting on a neighbor’s roof top
praying the water would soon stop
I called to a woman hanging on to a tree
but when I got there she was no where to be
again I almost drown, my neighbor pulled me back on his roof
swimming back, I was broad sided by the truth
though I had lost everything, I didn’t want to die
my neighbor held me and we both had a good cry
he told me he didn’t know what happened to his kids or his wife
and that he had just seen a woman loose her life
the rest of the day we set in silence, holding back the tears
we never knew each other though we have been neighbors for years
the sun turned our roof into a frying pan
looking into my neighbors eyes, I knew I was looking at a dying man
the long hot day turned to night
not a sign of help in sight
had to stay awake, no way to sleep
had to watch your moves, roof way too steep
surrounded by water and dying of thirst
thinking it couldn’t get much worst
Katrina, Katrina, you kicked me when I was down
I went under once, twice, but my spirit will never drown
I was already living hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck
I only thought my life was a wreck
oh what! I would give to have my old life back
barely scraping by in my three room shack
the sun is coming up, there’s a ray of hope
I have to reach deep for the strength to cope
to keep from sliding off, my neighbor is straddled a vent
and he sure looks like he is spent
before I can check on him, someone shouts from a boat
rescued from what was once, one man’s castle, now surrounded by nature’s moat
I make my way to my neighbor, but the calvary was too late
exposure, lack of water and no insulin sealed his fate
the two fishermen said they drove all night to launch their boat at dawn
had to keep turning around because so many bridges were gone
Katrina, Katrina, you kicked me when I was down
look what you have done to my town
the convention center is a sea of refugees
the scene nearly brings me to my knees
a sea of despair and misery
as far as my eyes can see
they tell me busses are on there way
I was on a roof for a day and night and now here for my third day
here I’m now on my third night and it’s living hell
no water, no food and that smell
and you don’t dare go to sleep, murders and rape
in the morning, if I have the strength, I think I’ll escape
my neighbor’s roof wasn’t this bad
the only thing this place does for me is make me mad
there’s rumor that looters will be shot on sight
if your lucky, a looter will give you a bite
the governor gave the cops the right to commandeer what they need
but you can be shot for taking food when you have hungry and sick kids to feed
Katrina, Katrina, you kicked us when we were down
we went under once, twice, but you can’t drown the spirit of this town
dedicated to the spirit of New Orleans and all of her neighbors and victims of Katrina. This story is a compilation of many stories I read and heard. In itself it is not a true story. I live in North La. ….I know with my health conditions. I could not have survived the conditions people have and are still having to endure. …….feel free to use this poem anyway you see fit if you think it can help in any way. ….. Not for profit and please keep intact (complete)
copyright 9-2-05 huey r horton hippiepoet69
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
»
- Login or register to post comments
- PDF version
Great rhyming and great story here HippieP
Hippie Poet what a story you tell of the Katrina Hurricane. And I would continue this write of yours, so poignantly displayed on your page. Very good in spite of some misspelled words and all you nailed this one for sure. Such a feel for what did happen there and all the loved ones lost. The story of the man on the roof was so touching.
Storyteller Hippiepoet please keep on writing.
Magics02
xoxoxo
Thanks Very much
I know my spelling stinks and I lost my ediditer years ago.The spell check does not always catch it when I use the wrong word. I would rather be a good writter than a good speller. And I know I’m smarter than my computer. I can miss spell more words than it knows. A lot of people that fled Katrina came up here to Shreveport. I have talked to a few of them. I wish I could of done more than just write a poem. Thanks Again. huey
Hey Huey....
…I’ve got an idea for an excercise for you. Try causing every other line to rhyme. At least try rhyming the first and the third lines. It will expand as a poet that rhymes, believe me.
Then, cause the second and the fourth to rhyme along with the first and the third. Then, start making up your own rhyme schemes…..and that, will complete you.
Just give it a try. See what it brings. It couldn’t hurt. Oh…..I almost forgot. Your effort was very gallant, and quite eloquent if you ask me. Good job !
“Write on”!
sincerely,
#{:-{)}8====
docmaverick.
You have did more
In your heart this write goes out to many that survived the storm and for those who are still trying to survive through it even though it was years ago it is still fresh in the minds of many. Thank you for bringing this into the light ad not place on a shelf somewhere, forgotten. Good job HPoet. Very good. Yes I know of the spell check you talk about. When you do your final manuscript do it then.
Love and Hugs to you
Magics02
Thanks docmaverrick
I used to write a few like that. I like that syle. So I will have to give it a try. I’m trying to get back into poetry. I’m not as good now as I used to be. My mind is not as sharp as it used to be. And I’m not as inspired. But I need to keep my mind active. I truely thank you. Take Care. huey