(A Poem in Response to Hurricane Charley)

So here we are,
nearly three weeks
after receiving a devastating blow
Roofs are gone
windows are broken
in our yards trees no longer grow.
No power. No phones
No school for ten days
And for some no place to call home
Shelters were full
Charley was cruel
But for long we weren’t alone.
In came the Reserves
Convoys of Hope
So many who wanted to assist
Free water. Free ice
Food and hot showers
it seemed to appear with a flick of the wrist.
Here in Florida
We are strong
with dogged determination we stand
we are diligent
we will survive
soon there will be no more “aftermath demands.”

by Elora Lee, Port Charlotte, FL