Print

Once upon a time I knew of - a heartless girl bereft of love

Though she lived her life with the most exquisite intensity

Those who observed her stood in awe, her power great, without a flaw

Devastation left her wanting – wanting for affinity

She attracted specious fellows as was her propensity

A natural disaster - she

Stormy brooding was her fashion – working up a fit of passion

Those who knew her and watched her spark grow into a bitter flame

Shook their heads and made predictions, tried to stop her with restrictions

Tried to warn others to avoid a void she left without shame

Warnings unheeded, cast aside by all unwilling to claim

                                                                   Life would never be the same

A year before she made her move, she sent a friend ahead to prove

That all their dire predictions were nothing but puffs of air

Her friend, Ivan, caused a panic. Heeded advice made folks manic

Barricaded in homes waiting, waiting in breathless terror

The next day came and all was still. Ivan caused them all to swear

                                                                        Not to listen or beware  

Planned chaos you could see in her eye. Pressure kept building, drawing nigh

Helpless sheep living their lives in innocent oblivion

Going to church, singing praises, working hard, getting raises

While her hateful heart, cold as ice, eyed a way to come undone

Bubbling ooze of malicious ire drove her mind – crazed and wanton

                                                                        Evil that any would shun

So distinct I still remember, ‘twas a Monday near September

She had become a maelstrom of fury that couldn’t be denied

She ripped through town early that morn, killing, crushing, showing her scorn

Women wailing, children crying – crying babies tossed aside

She did not hear – her pain too great just like a forgotten bride

                                                                        Hoping the pain would subside 

All she touched of any matter was left broken, torn, and tattered

She didn’t want redemption, she didn’t care to condescend

In fact, she laughed at all their pain – jeering at the weak in disdain 

Anger heaving, seething, swirling, whirling toward a tragic end

Power increasing by the hour too complex to comprehend

                                                                        Disaster - her only friend

Her shriek vicious, loudly she squalled. Life and limb she recklessly mauled.

Continuing her campaign through the night and the whole next day         

Pets and people she drowned with ease. Some despaired and fell to their knees

Screaming like a banshee twirling, twirling in a dervish way

She stole their lives taking all that she sought, casting all their hopes away

                                                                                   Leaving all in disarray

When she left, they counted the cost. People were scattered, some were lost

Eighteen hundred and thirty six lives were buried in the ground

Shock, grief, depression, homes destroyed. Men lost all that they once enjoyed.

Survivors picked up the pieces through misery most profound

Over seven hundred people have never even been found

                                                                                    They’re still trying to rebound

The government, they played their part. They sent in the National Guard