When They Didn't Show Up (For Hurricane Katrina)

She waited for you
dirty tennis shoes
talking volumes
proud little bow legs browned and baked
arms akimbo
rocking from side to side like a ship on the water
little fists planted at her hips

She waited for you
eyes
stuck on the stubbon door
that opened and closed
allows others in and out
but never for her
looking for her bus
because there had to be another coming

She waited for you
scarred legs black and ashy
hair all over her head
purple spotches all over her heart

knowing that this time was gonna be different

She waited for you
even when the sun wrote a goodbye letter
even when the people begin to stare
even when the tears she would not cry
rained on her leg
yellow and smarting