Elsa’s Fury

 

 

Elsa clenched her fist

And gave Barbados a blow

And those who were in doubt

By now should know.

 

Some wanted the experience

Of living through a hurricane

But after Elsa’s onslaught

They won’t want one again.

 

She approached as a storm

At a terrific speed

And if it were not for this fact

Greater would be the need.

 

Just imagine, if you will,

What would have happened

If Elsa was a category 2 hurricane

That had threatened.

 

 

Instead she was a category 1

Up from the storm that came

And unleashed her hurricane force

With winds and much rain.

 

She spared not a parish

Especially those in the south

And they that wanted a hurricane

Were left with open mouth.

 

Many houses were blown down

And many roofs ripped away

And while occupants were terrified

Elsa was having her sway.

 

 

Trees were ripped out of the earth

With their roots and all

And poles and wires hit the deck

As though commanded to fall.

 

It was while Elsa was on island

That she upped a gear

From a storm to a hurricane

And many cowered in fear.

 

It was not even an hour

That we experienced hurricane winds

And we thank God there was no loss

Of either life or limb.

 

The fall out was horrific

Though Elsa was mostly a storm

And it will take a while

Before we get back to the norm.

 

Those that wanted the experience

Must be regretting the thought

Especially now they see the damage

After Elsa’s onslaught.

 

 

People are still without water

And many are without electricity

And in some cases

Without either commodity.

 

The cost of all of the repairs

No doubt will run into the millions

Add to Elsa, COVID an COVASH

And we are talking billions.

 

On the 2^nd of July, 2021

Hurricane Elsa came a-calling

Sixty-five years since her predecessor

Gave the island a mauling.

 

It was hurricane Janet then

That struck mostly to the south

Just like Elsa also did

Leaving us with open mouth.

 

 

Elsa was not a dream

So, stop pinching yourselves

And start sending up praises to God

That we are still in good health.

 

And may I also remind you

That this is only July

And that it was only last week

That I posted “Stand by”.

 

Stewart Russell © July 8, 2021

Choosing to Give Thanks

 

I just want to give God thanks

For having lived this long.

For family and friends

And for still being somewhat strong.

There is a pain right here

And every day an ache somewhere

But I am assured of the fact

That I am in God’s care.

I thank Him for his faithfulness

Each and every day

And how He keeps on keeping me

When I let Him lead the way.

I am His very special sheep

As a matter of fact, still a lamb,

For one day I am frisky

Though the next I’m like a ram.

I thank Him for understanding

All of my frailties

And I credit Him above all else

For my every capability.

He wakes me every morning

And gives to me His breath

And I am assured He will do this

Until the time of my death.

I thank Him for the fact

That I am in His hand,

Not because I deserve it

But because it is His plan.

And yet another day

He has caused me to see,

I am in my right mind

And seeing quite clearly.

There are many consolations

Too many to fully mention

And in my every difficulty

He is on top of the problem.

I thank Him for the water

Which is back on again

And wish I could make a promise

That when it’s off I won’t complain.

For the electricity too

That is now up and going well

And on the fact it will happen again

I choose not to dwell.

 

Yes, I choose to give God thanks

Not simply fret and complain,

For every problem we’ve had before

We are likely to encounter it again.

Giving God thanks is a choice

It is a decision we should make,

It doesn’t happen automatically

It's a course we all should take.

I choose to give God thanks

There is nothing better I can do,

With Him, life here is much easier

And in the life to come, too.

Stewart Russell © December 2019