[StBernard] I Am From St. Bernard

[Westley Annis]

	When talking with a stranger
	he said he felt my pain
	cause years before Katrina
	he lost his house in flames.
	
	I thanked the man with half a smile
	for all his kind words,
	but pardon me for saying sir
	the comparison is absurd.
	
	When you lost your precious home
	in that horrible burning flare
	I know that you will tell me
	that all your friends were there.
	
	To say that I had help
	was further from the truth
	You see all of my friends
	had water to their roofs.
	
	And let me ask you sir,
	when you finally did rebound,
	the community you
	loved so much....
	was it still around?
	
	Your church, your grocery
	the guy who cuts your hair...
	I'll bet when you moved back,
	all of it was there.
	
	You see, everything dear to me
	that I loved the most
	is history forever
	and my community is a Ghost.
	
	Just a small dinner out
	in yes....a brand new place
	my wife and I always look
	for a familiar face.
	
	We know we won't see one
	as we have our meal alone...
	cause all of these faces
	have also found new homes.
	
	I thanked him anyway
	as we passed on our goodbyes
	but I know he could tell
	by the defeat in my eyes,
	
	That so small will be,
	his story of tragedy
	after the long lecture
	that he received from me.
	
	I hope he thinks of me
	as he's washing his new car
	and says hello to his neighbor,
	who's gardening from afar.
	
	And when he sits in church
	and looks from left to right
	he'll nod to all of his friends
	that he's known all his life.
	
	So carry on dear Sir
	with your neighbors and your friends
	and pray for everyone
	that this never happens again.
	
	Cause all us from St. Bernard
	who are still in a delicate state,
	if another storm heads our way
	It'll be more than we could take.
	
	-author unknown: 70043