Katrina

AlphA: an alphabet poem that has no set Rhyme or Meter. Each line starts and ends with the same letter. The lines can run A-Z or Z-A.





Zydeco infused jazz
Yelps, yowls with all it has, pumping frantically;
Xiphoid notes pierce, then bend, wending from a sax,
Wading, wondering like melted wax. A feverish windflaw
Vibrates through vacant venues. The rhythm starts to rev,
Undulating violently beyond the new bayou --
Testament to the tempest’s torrent.

Still, the syncopated symphony searches;
Refusing rest, it lunges, lurches; rescuing all that hear,
Quickly pursuing ears. Steering downstream on wind’s umiaq,
Pulsating, rocking to and back, it seeks companionship.
Oblivious to nature‘s violence, a ghostly echo
No storm can silence, it navigates the empty town.

Music soothes the savage beast, mends with rhythm,
Lulls, at least; leaping to ease hearts on the heal,
Keeping us upright when we would kneel before the sleek
Jester’s mask of glaring steel: Disguised Despair -- the dreaded raj.
Iron willed, he bears a barrage of wearing waves, headed by his rani.
He and she both simple knaves, shredded by heartsong’s brawny wrath.

Growing stronger the steaded jazzmen keep playing;
Freedom flowing, winding, sashaying from each riff.
Eventually finding favor in a family that has withstood the hurricane,
Dogging a skiff through what now remains of their neighborhood.

Calmed by the song in the air, in their hearts, they drink in the tonic
Beats with aplomb and depart; thankful despite their sorrow, they did not succumb.

Another day, another tomorrow . . . They have overcome Katrina.