Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock

rain
descends
no warning
nature’s fury
in Biblical flood
lives and homes swept away
bodies floating downriver
in path of sheer devastation
as survivors shiver in despair
dreams shattered, tears dissolve in mud water
sail me to a place where the sun shines bright
beyond the moon and Big Dipper
to a planet far, far away
free of curfews and unrest
where solitude awaits
true compassion lies
a place to breathe
where weary
bones can
rest

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2024
October 5, 2024

Hello friends and family. I am feeling a little somber this week, as the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene is just breaking my soul. It has taken a while for the media to show exactly what is going on down there in the South as a result of the hurricane – particularly the tragedy in North Carolina and Tennessee, with the rivers flooding and dams breaking. Many of us have experienced hurricanes and the aftermath of survival and recovery, but there is NOTHING that compares to the devastation happening down there at this very moment! I can’t even begin to imagine the sheer terror and horror of seeing your family members swept away in fast moving waters, that you had little warning about. To see your hometown, your home, your streets, everything destroyed is just gut-wrenching. And these areas were in the mountains, a place where you don’t see hurricane effects often.

To make matters worse, there’s a whole other side that is very unsettling. Yep, I’m going there. Learning that these flood victims are getting a measly $750 in government aid for losing EVERYTHING in a natural disaster is just making me angry and sick to my stomach!! Same with the Maui fire victims only getting $700…. The misuse of natural disaster funding, being diverted for other political causes is just unacceptable and disgusting. But that is not being widely reported, you have to search to find out why. That’s all I am going to say – but something must change now. Our country must take care of its citizens in need, and this is an apocalyptic event that has devasted thousands and thousands of our fellow Americans! Their lives and this entire area will never be the same. That’s sad beyond comprehension.

I’m trying to breathe deep, pray and donate where I can (as long as I know the funds/supplies are actually going direct to the victims). My thoughts and prayers go out to every single person affected by this storm, and many other natural disasters in recent memories. God bless you and keep you safe!

Xoxo,
Colleen

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 14.16 – Far Away Planet
Hard Bonus: Incorporate the Big Dipper or your favorite constellation
Easy Bonus: Mention a curfew