Berta

Berta bops down the street,

an ebullient bundle of brash.

Top of the class for street smarts and survival sense

she weaves between obstacles that would fell

the posh peeps who patronize her,

who put money in her pocket so they can put

candy up their noses, all while turning said noses

up at her.

Hah.

Who uses who now?

Who needs who now?

After the Flood

What was here before the flood

in the days preceding a deluge

of familial responsibility?

Surely there were budding dreams and

deep green thoughts adorning

lush shrubs and trees,

individual expectations and plans

basking in light and air.

Now, all appears drown

slippery and rotted beneath the surface.

Looks, however, can lie.

New life darts among sodden stalks

nipping nutrients where it can

growing in rippled light.

Fingers crossed that it will someday

haul itself from the damp to

dry land,

lungs expanding,

and begin again.

After the flood.