Hurricane Milton

 The trees were all nestled safe in their slumber

on top of houses and sheds now reduced to lumber.

In all directions, the floodwaters rose

when their natural path is blocked, that's how it goes. 

The floodwater swallowed everything in its path. 

drenching it in a sewage bath. 

The worst smells imaginable become common to the nose

when everything else is burning, that's how it goes.

Cars line up on the side waiting for fuel

the same way they'd pick their kids up from school.

No one worries about baths or washing clothes

when there's no water or electricity, that's how it goes. 

The poor took all their belongings, their hopes, their dreams to the curb

while the rich figured out the perfect new refurb. 

The survivors felt lucky despite food, shelter, gas dominating their woes

when the alternative is death, that's how it goes.