After the Storm

Those towns stood for over 100 years,

Long ago found by

Settlers, merchants and immigrants,

Doctors and farmers who were lured

By the semblance of their native lands.

They were given names like

Asheville, Old Fort, Marshall,

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

Tourists knew them from billboards,

Locals knew them as home.

When the storm came it brought

Harsh winds and heavy rain.

Made the rivers rise and swell.

Overnight some towns disappeared

Like Atlantis, Roanoke, Machu Picchu.

After Helene they crawled from the wreckage,

Restored power, supplied food and water,

Shelter and clothing provided by

Doctors, immigrants, famers, tourists, merchants

All survivors, all welcome.

When the debris was cleared and

The wounds wrapped, those doors

Reopened and the world returned

Until the people and land alike

Became newly restored.