On February 5,2008 a tornado ravaged Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Mississippi, and Alabama, leaving 59 people dead
Like a torrent, it came crashing, smashing everything it met
Breaking trees and moving buildings, anything ‘twas in its path
And it came so quick that many scarce had time to get away
From the vicious, killer wind that left destruction in its wake
Those who heard it said it thundered like a freight train or a jet
And the sound reverberated like eruptions in their head
Giant trees were snapped and tossed, as if they only were a match
And many buildings just exploded when engulfed within its swath
Many city blocks were leveled as it moved from state to state
Many families were uprooted as their homes were blown away
More than a dozen lives were taken here in Arkansas alone
Nearly sixty by the time that its intensity was gone
Interviews with victims on the next day’s news report
Showed people who’d been spared and giving glory to the Lord
Though their homes and all belongings were strewn all over space
God protected the important things, all else could be replaced
For those whose lives were lost, there are many filled with grief
And it will take some time before their families feel relief
But, for those who knew the Lord, I know they’re resting well today
And if they had a chance to come back, they all would choose to stay
Copyright C R Clark-2/16/08
There is an interesting ending to your poem and it is a comfort, I'm sure, to the victims who survived. But I must observe that this reads more like a news article (prose) than a poem, C.R. The language is straightforward and I'm longing for you to bring in metaphors to show in a new, creative way what happened that day. It was more than terrible, I'm sure, as are all the twisters that are still happening this spring. Thanks for sharing. Raynette
A sad tale but beautifully written. Thanks for sharing and bringing this disaster to our attention. Andrew
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I feel sadened by this and yet feel hope for a way forward working together, this has to be the key to finding some relief in it all Love duncan X