Katrina Poem by Barry Middleton

when you're living on the river
and the waters start to rise
then you surely know the reason
that old weeping willow cries

Katrina used to be a lady
but she turned into a storm
waters rising to the rafters
I curse the day that she was born

put me on that paddle wheeler
‘cause I have to leave this town
levees all are overflowing
muddy waters all around

though the river is still raging
it's the only path I see
wind is howling like a demon
the hurricane won't let me be

when you're living on the river
you know the meaning of the blues
when the water starts to rising
you may win or you may lose