Another Cruel Tide

There has entered into our affairs
yet another cruel tide 

taken at full flood

by fond friends no longer afloat.

Such human folly to presume 
any cruelty yet conceived 

within the heart of mortal man

exists on a scale beyond 
that of our own 

natural mother.

The Capricious Dame  
upon whom we bestow 

all awe and reverence,

labor so to repair and save,

though time after time 
suffering 
her transformation 

into an Executing Mistress

visiting the lash upon the broken backs 
of we, her eternal slaves. 

Through the abusing torrents,

our hearts flow within yours.

Shared memories demand 

worthy voyages not be abandoned,

lost or drowned in misery,

but used as bridges

toward warmer shelter,

safer harbor

and greater comfort for all.  
HL 4.7.11

Tsunami (For Japan) April 7, 2011

Revised in honor of victims of 
Hurricane Sandy, October, 2012
Boston Marathon bombing, April 15, 2013
Houston, September 2017
Philippines November 2013
Puerto Rico September 2017
Indonesia September 2018
Pandemic 2020