months later
he still clutches
the bowling ball—
all he could salvage
after Katrina
remembering the Hurricane Katrina victims (Aug. 29, 2005)
janet lynn davis
Wisteria; MET
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It's hard to believe that it's been two years, and people still are working to get their lives back together.
You volunteered, didn't you?
Posted by: Aurora | August 28, 2007 at 07:18 PM
Powerful, Janet.
Posted by: collin | August 28, 2007 at 08:22 PM
I think of an old person, maybe understandably confused and clinging to one solid object. And the heaviness of it adds to the meaning of the poem. Very fine.
Posted by: kirsty | August 29, 2007 at 08:14 AM
I appreciate the comments, Aurora, Collin, and Kirsty!
A - Yes, I did three tiny bits of volunteering...Would really have liked to have done more (but health didn't permit that). It was a surreal experience watching the first wave of people from New Orleans arrive; they were both a bit stunned and grateful. This was before they were aware of the destruction and chaos that soon was to follow (and that they would turn out to be the "lucky ones").
K - I am grateful for your explanation. Would you like to know the story of this tanka? It came about after seeing a brief human interest story on local TV. The man was actually roughly in his thirties, I think. Apparently, settled down in his new empty apartment in Houston, he held the bowling ball like a life raft (my impression) on a regular basis. It was the only possession he'd managed to drag out of the wreckage.
Posted by: janet lynn davis | August 29, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Well done, Janet. Thank you for reminding me to stop and remember happening and feelings from two years ago, and the ongoing saga. I just went into my own archives to join your remembrance here.
Posted by: david giacalone | August 29, 2007 at 09:55 AM
heavy indeed
Posted by: shane | August 29, 2007 at 09:33 PM
thanks for the comments, david and shane, and thanks for posting your katrina stuff too.
Posted by: janet lynn davis | August 30, 2007 at 11:31 AM