163. A Hurricane named Katrina

by Roland R. Ruiz - San Antonio, Texas
In honor of the second anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy.

As I look upon the spot I left, just two years ago this month
I see the emptiness before my eyes, and not much has changed at all

A Hurricane named Katrina paid a visit that fateful day
She brought much death, with destruction to those who stayed, and prayed

I was one of many, who decided to leave in haste
For I have seen all this before, in the savage winds of Mother Nature

Her fury, contains no mercy, for those who decide to stay
Leaving all behind, we sought a safer haven, than the one we left that day

With my children, and only memories, we drove from New Orleans in tears
Before the storm came ashore, and raped the city we loved

Now two years have passed, and so much remains the same
The politicians say a great deal, they all mean so well

But just look around, in between the streets, only the dreams remain
Of what this city once was, and now will never be

162. A study of Sun Rays (Crespuscular)

Anonymous

Running to find the end of the rainbow.
Running to find that shaft glory--to be bathed in light.

Bearing the soul to the divine.
Seeking rest, surcease and cleansing all at once.

Faith like a waterfall--full, abundant and never ceasing.

161. The Old Songs

by  Karla Dorman - Burleson, Texas

The old songs
sing the pain
I have seen lately,

penning its
path on my
face in wrinkled lines

of writing ...
poetry
of life you can read.

You know the
lyrics as
well as I do and

sing along ...
our tears flow
together and flow

in measured
rhythms of
collective sadness.

160. Watching The Music Leave

by Karla Dorman - Burleson, TX

dare i celebrate
(in true mardi gras style),
while others wait
in deepenin shades of sorrow?

(second lines of hot/
hungry/thirsty/weary folk
watch the music leave
the quarter they sang about,
notes of purple/green/
yellow abandonin the
city they once loved,
wonderin if they'll have a
home to go home to.)

and all i can do
is sit in air conditioned
comfort, writin sad
poems of my own traumas
that i'm goin through
(worries about friends and if
they are all okay,
wonderin if they made it) ...

concerns that mean NUTHIN to
those singin the blues
in cesspools of violence --
talk about selfish

'Second Life' session on Hellicane a big success

On January 28, 2007, Hellicane founder PodPoet gave a presentation on Hellicane and cause-based poetry podcasting in a very unique forum. Here is a picture from the event (PodPoet is the tiny guy on stage in a yellow shirt) and a report from one of those in attendance:

PodPoet Clinquant explains the evolution of his Hellicane website, where people submit poems about the hurricanes of 2005. He explains about caused-based poetry websites and how they help with social expression / action and gives some examples of how we can do it. Hellicane started out with just his poem; then he opened it up to allow others to post poems. Later it was turned into a podcast. It’s become a large community. Submitted by Dedric Mauriac