by Rochelle Ratner
Pass Christian, Mississippi. A town godly even in its name.
Leveled by Katrina, but not the utter devastation found in Bay St.
Louis or New Orleans. There were bits and pieces of the buildings
standing. Men and women from Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania rode
down in their carriages to help clearing and rebuilding, working
side by side with the community. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh
away. Nature has moved further north now. Old and new friends
from Pass Christian have arrived to offer what little they can. And
by the time Amish women and children wake tomorrow, the
bulldozers will be far away. The waste will have been hauled to the
landfill. There will be no burning, no sacrifice to foreign gods.
They will see a field, cleared of debris, ready for plowing. God has
given them this field. And they will plant it.
Rochelle Ratner's latest poetry books include Balancing Acts (Marsh Hawk Press, 2006), Beggars at the Wall (Ikon, 2006) and House and Home (Marsh Hawk Press, 2003). She is the author of fifteen previous poetry collections and two novels (Bobby’s Girl and The Lion’s Share) both published by Coffee House Press). More information and links to her writing on the Internet can be found on her homepage.