Repossessed by Harvey

“Just a tropical storm, no need to worry”

Then they fill their bathtubs

And gas cans in a hurry

“Class is cancelled tomorrow”

“Keep an eye on the news”

“Buy some bread and eggs,

Anything you think you’ll use”

Pitter, patter, plunder

He possesses our ears

With the crack of thunder

Every single drop

Rolling off your glass

Finds another house

To rudely trespass

Water lapping at brick

Doorways plugged with rags

Forecast says another 20 inches

Momma says, “Grab your emergency bags”

Not a person to pity,

With his putrid floodwaters

He repossesses our sanctuary

I awake to the sound

Of the National Guard

A kayak floats past my driveway

I swim in my backyard

Roads turned to rivers

Cars to watery tombs

One family even caught a fish

Right in their living room

For many

Morning brought despair

Some fled to rooftops

And were rescued by air

The city that watched me grow up

I watched fall apart

Harvey repossessed League City

And with it, my heart