Flood Of 2006 Poem by Joseph T. Renaldi

All quiet in Schuylkill County, PA tonight.
Except, now and then, a voice of despair
Is heard, as officials survey the aftermath
In view of a man on a porch sitting on a chair.
It is heartening - that many flood victims now
Will be eligible for Federal Aid due to the flood.
Properties were lost - basements flooded,
The elderly, all alone, ravaged by water and mud.

All quiet in Schuylkill County, PA tonight.
Where many distraught residents stand weeping,
Their homes and property ravaged by floodwaters
And the light of their dreams no longer gleaming.
A trembling sigh of a gentle night breeze
Throughout the County leaves water receding,
While bright stars in the sky, with their piercing eyes,
Keep a vigil on the horrified people who are retreating.

There's only the muffled sound of rescue workers
As they guide their boats toward the dwellings ahead,
Thinking of all the stranded people in harm's way,
To lead them safely to a shelter to be fed and bed.
The victims are in disbelief, their face, dark and grim,
But grow gentle with comforting words so tender
As they utter prayers for the children asleep -
For their rescuers, who they will always remember.

The stars seem to glitter just as clearly
As a night when the storm was yet unspoken,
Leaped up to their lips - when murmured prayers
Were pledged to be ever unbroken.
Then, passing their sleeve quickly across their eyes,
They wipe away their tears that are flowing,
And gather up some of their cherished memorabilia,
Restraining to keep down their voice from moaning.

They passed piles of rubble, the fallen trees,
Their footsteps are lagging and weary,
Yet onward they go through the path of destruction,
Seeking safety during a night that was eerie.
Was it the rain and thunder that rattled their bones?
Was it the lightning so constantly flashing?
It looked like their demise - struggling to survive,
The floodwaters are ebbing and continue splashing.

All quiet in Schuylkill County, PA tonight.
No fearful sound except the rush of the river,
While softly falls the dew upon the mud and debris -
Surely, the Flood of 2006 will be remembered forever.