As waters rise above your threshold,
dampen what work achieved,

washes away efforts of days.
All possessions beyond repair,

family photographs curl, float away,
only memories in your head,

only effort in sinew and bone,
beat of heart to help a neighbour

into a rescue boat. Hard to count blessings,
as if someone has died, anger at authority

who fail to see it, resignation at losses,
adamant determination shall not be beaten,

by sodding weather.

© 2017, Paul Brookes