Here in the Texas Gulf Coast region, one of the ways writers and poets are dealing with their experiences from the recent hurricane activity is by putting pen to paper and fingers to keys. As a press dedicated to encouraging the art of writing, the gift of self-expression, and the goal of collaboration, we took up the call to collect these cathartic words via a community project called “Hurricane Harvey – Healing Through Creativity.”
Below, in random order, are the incredible Harvey-inspired haikus that were cultivate by Texas Gulf Coast writers. Take your time to sit with them, ponder them, and walk a haiku in the shoes of someone that felt the effects of this devastating hurricane and tropical storm system. Thank you to all who submitted these bite-sized poems that pack such a powerful punch.
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Water did not wash
But left behind foul debris
And our grateful hearts.
Rebecca Nolen
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Write your name in black
On your arm with a sharpie
Hurricane tattoo
Holly Walrath
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dark, dank creeping sludge
slowly, insidiously
redesigns my life
Harriet Riley
~~~
Impersonal hotels
Can’t replace a water-logged home
And memories now dissolved
Melissa Huckabay
~~~
Dogs sheltered from storm.
In my care while owners grieve.
Reunions are joy.
Todd Galbraith
~~~
Rising water stills
lurking one inch from my door.
You may not come in.
Leslie Archibald
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Destruction heartbreak
Hope arrives on waves of love
In flat-bottomed boats
Celeste Budwit-Hunter
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Wind, rain, pouring down
Much loss; homes, cars, memories
Helping hands bring hope
Fern Brady
~~~
Unexpected guest
who stays beyond its welcome,
and no rabbit ears.
David Welling
~~~
Rain falls in torment
Houston’s heart will overflow
Sky, take back your tears
D. Marie Prokop
~~~
Lives swept with the rain,
starting again from zero.
United we heal.
Vanessa Caraveo
~~~
The hurricane came
But so did the rescuers
Faith in humanity
Virginia Kohl
~~~
Disaster unfolds
Counting the sodden stories
Only my eyes wet
KL Forslund
~~~
Hurricane Harvey,
we did underestimate,
now rains its revenge.
Claire Hart-Palumbo
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Danger plus beauty
like a spider in its lair
nature, deceptive
John Cryar
~~~
People’s nerves are raw
I cried over strangers’ trash
Will insurance pay?
Sabrina Eads
~~~
C.A. Kindred
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We shelter in place
Here on Maroneal Island
Will the rain please end?
Lucie Shipp Tredennick
~~~
We will get through this.
Everything happens, you know
you can start again.
Laurie Polomsky
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We are not drowned by
Twenty-one trillion gallons
We are Houston Strong
Artemis Greenleaf
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Hurricane harrrrrrvey….
What a cruel and heartless thief!
To have stolen peace
Ramona Harper
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Sad flooded Islands
Brave under the dark skies
Pure Human love shone
Lisa Hogan
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Reservoirs filling
anticipating islands
of guilt or worse grief
Jessica Holland
~~~
J.C. Roberts
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Closer and higher
Fear is measured by water
Inches makes me sigh
Leila Tualla
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torrential downpour
our sense of security
washed away, downstream
T. Haven Morse
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Deluge of forecasts
tight smiles as wooden trains chug-
taste fear and raisins
Patricia Flaherty Pagan
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We have been so humbled by the response to this project and hope that all affected by hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and other disasters continue to use their words for healing. As always, here at Spider Road Press, we are community-minded and charity-supporting. 5% of all of our proceeds go to charities like the Houston Area Women’s Center – who has done so much for flood victims this month. Thank you to them, our writers, and our readers. Keep writing, keep reading, keep healing! www.spiderroadpress.com