a reemerging flower
reminding us
of the power
to withstand
to endure
surviving
a hellish tempest
a  storm
of destruction
devastation & wreckage

annihilating everything in it’s path
leaving
empty spaces
no trace
of what had been in the past
creating havoc
disorder & confusion
invading your space
their space
every neighbor & friend
searching for
a semblance
finding tidbits
of other’s memories

living
the nightmare
for sleep didn’t take it away
tears wept
for days on end
lost in time
what day is it
what hour
it doesn’t matter
power will someday
be restored
sleep when it’s dark
wake to light
a continual fight to go on

some ran
more stayed
there were shoulders
of soldiers
there were
the knights in shining trucks
who cared not where
they camped

friends
………….. neighbors
……………………..& strangers
holding hands
holding together
for letting go
would leave a black hole

friends
………….. neighbors
……………………..& strangers
giving
time & energy
with no thoughts
of pay
for the relief
in the eyes
was the most satisfying

unexpected
unforeseen
yet predictable
nameless heroes
friends
………….. neighbors
……………………..& strangers
appeared

and time
marched on
loss & grief
stayed
friends
………….. neighbors
……………………..& strangers
found a common ground

hanging on hope
knowing a future exists
friends
………….. neighbors
……………………..& strangers
move on

yet
amongst the debris
a flower reemerged