Survivor's Guilt

I walk the ruined landscape of
survivor's guilt --- wishing the
storms away from here didn't
bring them on someone else,

did it? I look at the destruction
as it bursts open on TV: I feel
the pain in their eyes, sense
the weariness in their backs

as they pick up the sticks of
their lives to carry on until the
next storm comes. They are
much stronger than I could

ever be, more forgiving. Know
it's not my fault but somehow
feel responsible in some way.
My heart breaks anew ---- for

I've been where they are. Did
not lose everything I had, but
when the roof goes, so do the
feelings of safety and security.

(c) 2010, Karla Dorman (4/25)