99. The Day The Levee Broke

by Dawn Matley Maselli

August 2005
Hurricane Katrina
Wanted no man alive

The Good Ol Boys
Said Head to the Dome
For those who can't get out on your own...
And they left us here all alone

And we are prayin'

We are the United States
We will brave the wind, the storm
Ann the man-made mistakes

The storm stole all our material things
But we're grateful
For the hope that life brings
Yes, we are grateful for the hope that life brings

And now we're waitin'

August 2005
Levee gave way
Wanted no man alive

Water rising all around us
Who has got a cell phone?
Man, they left us here all alone
They left us here on our own.

But, we're still prayin'

We are the United states
We braved the storm, the levee
And the man-made mistakes

Can't let child see dome - horrible things
But I'm grateful for the hope
That life brings
Yes, I'm hopeful for the hope that life brings

And now we're waitin'

The Dome is dark and all are scared so
Mama's gettin' weak cuz her sugar is low
Whispers don't let child see me go
But child knows when mama goes
A child always knows when Mama goes

And now we're grieving

Sorrow that washes despair
Tears sheddin' natural wash - mama here
All the reasons to US are unknown
Father, take her to your heavenly home
Father take her to you heavenly home

And now we're reeling

Next day no water supply
Child looks up to me with searchin' eyes
"Daddy I'm thirsty" in a weak voice
To a papa - I don't have no choice
The Good Ol Boys can't her her voice

And now I'm looting

I survived the tragedy
Now I got to do right by my family
How exactly grateful do you want me to be?
Life's force caused my destiny
And I'm gonna do right by baby

And now I'm fightin'

Child lost mama, her strength and her home
Plans out there made but we're all alone
Mama's not here no more in the Dome
This shelter is her resting stone
Babies Blanket is her resting stone
Baby stroking the resting stone

And now we're prayin'

September 2005
We're doin' our best just to survive
Please cry baby so I know your alive
This is changing me deep down inside
We're all changing way deep down inside

And now I'm angry

Takin' babies and wives from the man
Never thought this could happen in Our Free Land
Can't get my head around it to understand
Chaos everywhere here for the man
Just gotta do the best that I can

They say I'm looting

Cameraman and the news on TV
Film me taking supplies for baby
How exactly grateful do you want me to be?
While your watchin' me on your TV
They call me looter and Refugee
Darlin, looter and a Refugee

But I'm still prayin'

Bad water surrounds little ones
I know New Orleans has mightier sons
We're takin' water, food and some meds
Surviving in this homestead
My shoulder now is baby's bed
Strong shoulders now for baby's bed

And I'm still hopeful

Go ahead and call me Refugee
A looter, a black man that you see on TV
But I'm no Good Ole Boy judging from a safe place
I'm a papa lookin' in baby's face
A widowed papa lookin' in baby's face

And now I'm prayin'

We are the United States
Braved wind, water, and the man-made mistakes
Katrina came and slapped the Dome's nose
We survived, then filthy water rose
At least we're together I suppose
I need strength God only Knows

And now I'm hopeful

Baby clinging to me for life
Got to hang on cuz I promised my wife
I'm a good Papa and a God-lovin' man
And I'm a damn good American
Yes, I'm a damn good American

So we sit here in this filth for awhile
Don't judge US - cuz we're all God's child
I lived through this tragedy
With what's left of my family

I'm grateful for the life of baby

And now I'm thankful
Those who saw the reality
Of people caught up in this tragedy
Forced the country with stategy
Forced the help to come for my baby
I'm as grateful as a man can be

And now I'm grateful

Neighbor forced them to get up and DO!
Showed the Good Ol Boy what I already knew
Said if TV can get in so can you
Not just a good TV crew
If one can get in so can you
What one man can do
Another can do

We are the United states
Neighbors prayin' and angry bout man-made mistakes
Got to save the child for God sakes
To save my family this is what it takes
Thank you lord and the United States

I thank you neighbor

Pray for me and the child
I'll be grateful for your love for awhile
Remember I'm the writer
And the reader will sound
And in this we're forever bound
Yes, in this we are forever bound

And we're still prayin'...

Hellicane category: SURVIVORS' Tales