Drowning

Foreseeing the worst...

The sight around me is awful to behold

Worse than any tragedies and stories ever told

In a minute or so, I'll join the chorus of cries

Breath of life to piteous creatures denies

Such sweet death to spend with my family

As we hang on to the mercies of a mango tree

Praying to deities to spare us please

From cold waters creeping up our knees

Shouts of help and screams in the air

Unanswered sighs melting to despair

Deaf heavens and unconcerned lords

Unimpressed by hearts' tears and words

Water reaches necks and acceptance sinks in

Where our disbelief and denial have once been

Unfortunate fates--oh tragic! So tragic!

Like Noah's flood and the sinking of Titanic

If hope and rainbows are still not found

No dry land or habitable ground

Hell seems warm and heaven, bright

The less air I breathe, the lovelier the sight...

Author's Note

Friday, November 8, 2013

CEBU (Updated 1 p.m.) -- Typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan), considered as the strongest tropical cyclone in the world this year, has made its fifth landfall over Concepcion, Iloilo at noon Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.

-from http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/11/08/typhoon-yolanda-makes-5th-landfall-iloilo-312742

Photo credits: Google Images

-Thanks for those who have expressed their concerns. God bless us all! :)
-My heart weeps for the 10,000 lives lost during the tragedy.

Reviews

[Catherine Frain]

WOW! Powerful strong images can be seen while reading this. I loved it, and I felt a tug of sorrow and pain for the people who are drowned in these storms, as no one is available to help them till after the storm.

I like the last two lines:

"Hell seems warm and heaven, bright
The less air I breathe, the lovelier the sight..."

But I feel as though the comma should be after bright, as it creates a unnatural pause right there.

Overall this was a wonderful poem, even though it's tone was sad.

I hope that anyone who is in the path of Haiyan is safe, and doesn't suffer the same fate.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Katie, no words can fully express how tragic that experience was. Thank you for your kind review and for expressing your concerns. :)

[JayJayBlue]

Beautifully and intelligently written piece about a horrific tragedy, hopefully the worst of the damage is done and that there's no more casualties

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Things are getting better, thank Heavens. :) Thanks for leaving behind kind words, Jay. :)

[Angel]

My heart is yearning for the victims of this storm...I can't imagine how devastating it must be for you.
I heartily wish there were something more concrete that I could do...
Of course, you have my prayers for you and for your family...and for all of the people in the path of this horrible storm.
My heart also weeps for those who lost their lives, and for their families and loved ones.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Prayer is the strongest weapon. Thank you, Angel. :)

[Angel]

Several churches here have taken offerings...I do hope they will help, at least some.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

They most certainly will help. Thank you!!!!!

[Douglas White]

An excellent attempt to giving voice to something so terrible that it is beyond words. Thank you for the effort.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Thank you, Douglas. :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Man that was a monster blow, storm that is. Godspeed

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Yes, it was. One of the worst. Thanks a lot! :)

[Chris]

Quite surreal and a new one coming soon I saw. Be as safe as you can and blessings to your family and friends.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

The recent one wasn't as bad. Thanks, Chris. :)

[Bradley]

I know that there is nothing I can say that will fix any of what happened. My heart goes out to you, your family, and your country.

(Edit: I hope you don't mind, I shared your poem on my Facebook page.)

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Bradley, thank you. I'm honored. I know when people read this, they'll say a prayer to all the victims. You have a good soul. Best wishes! :)

[Bradley]

My sister just shared it from my page, too.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Cool!!!! Thank her for me. Thanks :)

[Cassie]

I heard about this and it broke my heart, 10,000 people are a lot of people, this is such a moving write, so very sad. May they rest in peace

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Thanks a lot, Cassie. :)

[Jack...]

It seems we have both written pieces titled drowning, but yours my friends hits so much harder for it is a real occurence and not just the renderings of a sad heart. Very well done my friend and I hope everything around you is ok.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Sorry I wasn't able to read your version. :) Thank you, Jack, for the prayers. :)

[Tom]

A remarkable poem composed and penned under the severest of natural trauma !

I salute your valor and pray both you & your loved ones come through unscathed !

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

It was severely traumatic, Tom. Haha. Thank you so much for your prayers. :)

[Eddie Davis]

Blue, I immediately thought of you as the news of this storm was broadcast on the American news yesterday evening and said a prayer for your safety. I hope you and your family are well and safe. The poem was very powerful and the despair and desperation was heartfelt. As one who lives in the 'Tornado belt' of the United States and who has had 3 near misses with tornadoes, I understand the feeling of helplessness. This is some of your very best stuff, it should certainly be published.

[Catherine Frain]

*Tornado alley.

Hey....I live(d) in the upmost part of Tornado Alley.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Eddie, thank you so much for your prayers. Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire and natural disasters constantly visit us. :(

I also pray for your safety and for those who live in the Tornado Belt. :)

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Eddie, I need more prayers. Hahaha. There's another typhoon coming. Zoraida. Same places will be affected.

[Eddie Davis]

I'm very relieved to hear that you are alright. The news is saying 10,000 dead. I'll keep the prayers going; we're lucky here, for our tornadoes are small compared to typhoons and hurricanes and our death tolls are usually under 500. Keep safe!

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Wow. You are more updated than I am. I don't like watching the news about it. It's heartbreaking and depressing... I just want all this to end.