helene by the numbers
one: helene’s first tear
the dead weight of water
spiraling through a darkened sky onto
hundreds: of roofs soon to be swept away
by mountains turned rivers of mud
waters foaming at the mouth
lapping at the lucky doorstep
devouring the doomed
thousands: of trees falling like guillotines
the dead and missing rising with every felled
limb.
millions: of tears shed as we stand
in the receding water
darkened by blood
shining with gasoline
and wonder how to trudge
through the mud
ahead.
-Selah Greer
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