by Barbara Writes

Created on: September 24, 2009

Hurricane Hugo Has it been twenty-years

Has it been twenty-years since Hugo hit
My only daughter eight-month
My first child three-years, five-month
Sleeping unaware in my bathtub padded with blankets

I knelt before my headboard
Staring out my window
The howling of the wind sang songs of terror
While trees swayed in the midnight hours

Unaware my front porch ripped from it's foundation

The destruction tugged at my heart
Burying my head beneath my covers
I retreated from my headboard perch

Running to the bathroom to check on my babies
They were fast asleep not even a stir
I ran back to my bed resume my storm gazed
Late into the morning hours

Daybreak dawned never before scenes
My front porch gone with the wind
My back door provide my only escape
Trees blocked my roadway's entrance

My single-wide trailer stood in the after mass
Was the ark for my family of three?
Weathered 135-mile winds
That faithful night

Three weeks my power was out
A little food stamp to carry us through
FE MA money covered the damages, and
Water left unwanted on the church ground was all I got

Traveling from relief centers to centers
I missed the help most benefited
A single mother looking for someone to care
Wanting a little services and goods, locked away

Tired and discouraged about my plight
I retreated to my desolate home
My family of three kept safe from the elements
I often reflect with regrets

Many in charge took for themselves, friends and family
Turned away by the churches left a scar upon my mental state
Not being considered for opportunities in the labor force since age eighteen
My negative thoughts lingered beneath new grief to start over somewhere new

Still neighbors pulled together to help each other
Those from out of town volunteered their services
Cutting up the down trees, and
And cleaning up massive debris

With all the memories of hurricane Hugo on the news this week
I often reflect with bouts of depression
Mingled with somber feelings
I often remember my feelings of disappointments

Blocked by the mighty from finding employment
In the offices, I volunteered my services to gain experience
Turned away at every interview
Not given the chances others take so easily

At the age of forty-eight going through a marital breakup
My youngest finishing high school
Three oldest left the nest already
It's time for me to live for me

A new job after eighteen-years, stay-at-home mom
I'm pursuing opportunities helped by my dearest friend
Feeling up build from my lowly state
Of oppression and loneliness

Has it really been twenty-years?
Since Hugo came upon this once single mom, soon to divorce
A family of three cowered in the midnight
As a historic hurricane leveled the town of Sumter

At the age of forty-eight going through a marital breakup
My youngest child finishing high school
Three oldest left the nest already
It's time for me to live for me

A new job after eighteen-years, stay-at-home mom
I'm pursuing opportunities helped by my dearest friend
Feeling up build from my lowly state
Of oppression and loneliness

Has it really been twenty-years?
Since Hugo came upon this once single mom
A family of three cowering in the midnight hours
As a historic hurricane leveled the town of Sumter

Learn more about this author, Barbara Writes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.