This Flood
A free verse poem by Joseph Panzarella
I wrote this poem while hiding out in Austin during the peak of Hurricane Harvey’s destruction over Houston, TX. I returned shortly after the rain stopped to clean out my parents’ flooded home and support those in our community. Hurricane Harvey was only 4 years ago, but the emotions of that disaster should not be forgotten. Climate change will bring more events like this, and more frequently, and a push for sustainable renewable energy, more public transit, and less food waste is needed now more than ever.
This flood filled my heart.
A cup of joy overflowing with compassion
In a city so consistently resilient, we couldn’t help but move onward
What is lost is only an opportunity to find something better in ourselves
This flood filled my heart.
With the teamwork of a city so strong
Diverse with laughter, love, language
We may not always see eye to eye but we look together in the same direction
Forward
Houston will not be the same
Houston will be better,
for shame, Harvey
This flood filled my heart.
A catapult of emotion the grand commotion of families uprooted
And reseeded, this city will not leave you without fertilizer
We will help you grow
Show you the difference between a life-ending event
And a life-changing one
This flood filled my heart.
A barrage of boats was sent to break the dawn
Scream from the rooftops
Literally the rooftops
And let the world know that Houston is filled to the brim
With laughter, love, tequila, and tacos
Latinos, African Americans, and Asians alike
And no damn hurricane can touch what our city is made of
If you’re so inclined, there are many great organizations doing important land conservancy work, helping maintain our natural habitats, and slowing the impacts of climate change along the way. While we can’t prevent the next Houston flood, we can support the environment around us to better withstand future major weather events.
