Houston
The difference in street and river.
Of sanctity and dreams, bones and water.
He offers prayer and thought, but no refuge.
The bruised sky continues weeping.
Frightened, the dog paces her narrow island.
Tents flap in the rooftop breeze.
I sit in comfort, watch the screen,
flowers, like gravestones, lining the walls.
“Houston” was first published at The Green Light in April 2019. Many thanks to editors Caitlin and Ash for taking this piece!
O at the Edges 
Poignant and deeply powerful, I interpret the poem to be that of a horrific event……
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Thanks, Ivor. August of 2017 – Hurricane Harvey.
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Bruised sky weeping. Wow. Your words are so beautiful they hurt…in a good way. Can you tell us what inspired this one?
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Thanks, Mek. Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 inspired this, but it could be any hurricane at any time.
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You’re welcome, Bob. Any it could be any kind of hurricane…literal or meta phorical/physical.
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So true, Mek. I’ve made it through a few of the metaphorical storms recently, but more are coming.
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You’ll make it through those that come too xx
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That’s the goal! 🙂
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😊
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Reblogged this on Ivor.Plumber/Poet and commented:
Hello dear readers, I feel privileged to present a Robert Okaji poem here on my site….His brilliant poem “Houston” is about Hurricane Harvey, of August 2017. I think his words are superbly poignant and powerful…
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Thanks so much for reblogging, Ivor!
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Thank you ! For your excellent poems
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This tugs at my heart and fills my eyes with tears.
Powerful poem. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us.
(((HUGS)))
PS…I came by via Ivor’s WP blogsite.
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Thanks very much! Ivor is a blessing to us all.
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You’re welcome very much! 🙂
And he surely is that and more! 🙂
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What a powerful and expressive poem! I am thrilled I found your site, thanks to Ivor.
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Thank you, Eugenia! I am grateful for Ivor’s friendship. By the way, I found your comment in my spam folder. I’m not sure why it was there, but thought you’d like to know.
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Thank you for letting me know. It happens every now and then.
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