The thief in the night came

with thunder and lightening

surges of water taking it all

really quite frightening

Some clung to trees

others took refuge on a roof

the storm still raged

emotion quite aloof

Hours passed

prayers continued to flow

the eye came briefly

then rage continued to grow

In the aftermath

the survivors came together

Katrina took its toll

still they were brethren

Twenty years have passed

cities have been rebuilt

hearts have been mended

still there is some guilt

Somber remembrances

on this day

a time of innocence gone

which Katrina swept away