Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Dear 911: Please // A Poem On Hurricane Katrina

Dear 911: Please

“Please help.”
My voice is strong; my heart is beating.
My wife is alive and blood pulses through her veins.
The water is low – we don’t panic.
And I can still breathe.

“Please send help.”
My voice is loud; my heart still beating.
My wife is calm; blood courses quietly through her veins.
The water fills the first floor; we cringe when we hear the dogs whining.
But I can still breathe.

“I’m begging, please send help.”
My voice is cracking; my heart – beating.
My wife is sweating; her pulse – quickening.
The water fills the second floor and we hold hands tightly.
But I can still breathe.

“Please, we need help.”
My voice is desperate – my heart is pounding.
My wife is coughing – her pulse is fading.
The water touches my waist; we pray to God almighty.
But I can still breathe.

“Please I need help.”
My voice is pleasing; my heart now racing.
My wife is under – her blood slowly stops coursing.
The water touches my neck – my screams drowning with the person who completes me.
Now I can hardly breathe.

“Please.”
My voice is weak; my heart now slowing.
My wife’s hazel eyes catch mine as she floats by.
The water is nearly above me – my tears join the murk below me.
And I no longer want to breathe. 

jmp.

* This poem was inspired by true events that occurred during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

No comments:

Post a Comment