L'aura del Campo

Ghostyard of the dandelions. RIP Greensburg (1886-2007)

** Image ID #1150223 Unavailable **

Ghostyard of the dandelions
         
Petals radiate from hollow stems
soft golden suns by day
while old drunks pass the bottle lips to lips
and sip the hours away
as petals close and seeds are set
their feathers lengthen, pale
the old drunks smoke a fag or joint
they speak of wine and ale
then up against the headstones rest
and dream of fallen friends
beneath the haloed ghostyard of the dandelions
by moonshine in the courtyard of the dead.

Kåre Enga [164.60] 07-04-30 rev. 05-05

Greensburg is no more (1886-2007)

With 95% of the town destroyed, Greensburg, Kiowa County seat in central Kansas may cease to exist. There is nothing left of the town of 1,600. Although at this time there are reports of only 9 dead, still the photographs tell it all. An F-4 or F-5 tornado came roaring down Route 54 and took it all away.

The storms dissipated before coming my direction, but downtown Lawrence was destroyed in 1911 by a tornado and a "micro-burst" did $8 million damage last March. There are thunderstorm and tornado warnings west of here again today.

How does one write a poem about the death of a community? Do you describe the generations that have lived there and lay buried in the cemetery? Does one describe the ghost of buildings that are no more? The stories of the day it all began ... or ended? Someone should write a poem for this small community that has been erased by the winds of time.

The photo:
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070505/480/a681504d9ca344089397d2c84d2c09f7;_ylt=AqT...
The article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070505/ap_on_re_us/severe_weather

My life

80s today and humid. Took a nice long bath. Finished reading "Dead Man's Bones" by Susan Wittig Albert and went to the library to get out two more.

Ate a burger. Snarfed some 3 Musketeers. Love chocolate. At Aimee's Cafe now. Aimee and Cary's son OG (Oliver Gary Strong) turned 1 today, this Cinco de Mayo!

Have spoken to family this week: cousins Carol, Kellie. Will try to contact my mother before her birthday on Monday.

IMAGES

Sycamore cautiously responding to the warmth, one leaf at a time; moist waft from wood mulch; red bud on a rose; soft stickiness of an oak leaf (before it turns to slick leather).

At Headhunters: red-tipped light-green parrot tulip; indigo blooms of the catmint; yellow flowers of kale and rue; white alyssum; purple dianthus; violet allium; golden iris; hot pink yarrow; feathery touch of the larkspur.

19,056 views 05-05