I'm puking blood.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

After the Storm: New Orleans, 2005

(Read it out loud please, maybe someone will hear even though we know that you will)














I heard the spray paint through the wall.

Twice.

Psssst, tsp.

Psssst, tsp.

The sound of a red X.



Before the paint I heard.

My mother ask me to care for Dad

And breath her last.

My father ask for water.

And breath his last.

I heard my sobs from far away.

Even though the water rose.

I heard the lapping water
Slowly still.

I heard the buzzing flies
and far off dogs
looking for their masters.

Oww! Owwwwww!

I heard the silence.

I heard the helicopters overhead.

I heard time.
No ticking, no Big Ben.
I heard time creep into my bones.

Lay me down, lay me down.

I heard the splashes of feet and legs
Coming toward the house.

My heart jumped,

They're finally coming. They're coming.

I heard the legs and feet
Splashing through my house.

They're here. Thank God, they're here.

I heard the sighs.

I heard them leave.

Thank God, I'm finally safe.

I heard the spray paint through the wall.

I think I'll stay here for a while.