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                                         After The Storm

                                                                     by Joseph Farley




                                                 when the world ends you hardly notice,

                                                 not until it is completely gone,

                                                and even then you are not sure.

                                                You press your hand against nothing

                                                to assure yourself that it is really nothing

                                                and that all that came before has passed away,

                                                so much debris washed down stream.

 

                                               you try to get your bearings,

                                               find out who has a house still standing

                                               and not repossessed.

                                               you count your few belongings

                                               and wonder which ones could bring

                                               the most on E-bay if you had access

                                               to a computer and the internet.

 

                                               finding shelter and a meal is your job now,

                                               keeping the family warm and safe from predators.

                                               not an easy task for someone from the city.

                                               At least you are used to looking over your shoulder

                                                          for hooligans on your trail.