After The Quake
Dedicated to the Haitian earthquake survivors

After the quake
We sweat,
Staring into nothingness.
Glare of mid-day sun,
Momentary blessing,
Blinding us from our piled chaos.

January shook us
September poured on us
We shivered
Newborns in laps, soaked backs
Bent over to shelter.
Adolescents cradled in wet arms.
Hell is this vast open space.

After the rain
We panicked
Daily fevers heated dark skin.
Coughs ravaged weak lungs.
Our waters are more impure.