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Hurricane Katrina rages against New Orleans,
People begin frantically to scatter and scream.
The victims cry out, but some refuse to hear,
Any of their darkest suffering, and deepest fear.
Heavy tears flow down their tiring weary eyes,
Yet, they try to imagine beyond the darkest of skies.
Remembering, thinking this tragedy can never be,
Facing the never-ending question of their lives, "Why me?"
The victims stand stranded on rooftops for four dreary days,
As the seconds, the minutes, and the hours drift slowly away.
Dead bodies of their fellow men are floating in view all around,
Raging floods drown their hope-filled dreams into watery grounds.
Losing everything, including their own comforting homes,
Now among the shattering streets, they must constantly roam.
Searching for anyone who will give the time to understand,
The emptiness of their souls needs an offering hand.
So, who will do what they can to open offering doors,
For any of the tragic victims of the New Orleans shores?
Who can ever truly endure their heart-pounding pain,
Will the days of tomorrow give them something new to gain?
What happens to the inspiration of people standing united for a cause,
No matter what they have, or who they are with their human flaws?
When will some individuals realize why we all need one another,
For in God's eyes, aren't we all equal, as sisters, and brothers?
So where were we when the innocent children, mournfully cried,
Where were we when the strong fathers, lost courageous pride?
Where were we when the loving mothers, frightfully feared,
Where were we when the suffering victims, tragically endured?
Where were we on Day One, Day Two, Day Three, and Day Four,
Were we selfishly in the comfort of our homes behind locked doors?
Were we just simply viewing, and just standing acceptingly by,
Where were we when the precious time was drifting, as people die?
Where were we during the most imminent victim's needs,
Were we somewhere fulfilling our own selfish greeds?
The answer lies not only in what we say but in all we still do,
A question of our humanity beckons, "Can victims count on you?"
