One Time
Our
street after Hurricane Sandy
(a year ago, October 29 2012)
Evacuate!
Some
listened, some ignored
Some
left, some stayed
As
the storm crept up the coastline
One
Time
Mattered:
Her
arrival
And
when her time came,
She
lashed out pent up rage,
Swirling
and smashing, tearing and toppling
In
a tantrum, daring to destroy
Too
late
To
evacuate
Ocean
water invaded homes
Killing
memories
Of
other times, special times
When
her stamina waned
And
she faded into a gentle breeze
Time
changed for those she abused
Thrust
back to pioneer days—
Time
measured by the setting sun;
Dusty
lanterns found;
Unused
jars of scented candles
Now
lit
Cloaked
the darkness with vanilla and jasmine;
Blankets
replaced heaters,
Canned
food replaced meals,
Tears
replaced time
How
long til time passes
And
tick-tocks back to normal?
Days
were cancelled
Scribbled
events on calendars
Never
happened
Time
stops when towns are torn
But
who owns time?
Who
controls tomorrow?
He
who made today
Who
gives and takes away
Some
see the ruin
Some
see the light
Storms will happen
Stealing
what we cannot hold
Stealing
time,
So
One
Time
Matters
. . .
Eternity
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