D.C. Wood's AWFUL poems...ON STAGE!!! - Why, Katrina? Why, Mr President?

I feel like I must explain this one. When I was watching the Top Gear U.S. Special back in 2007 (filmed in 2006), the lad's road trip ended in New Orleans, one year after the awful events of Hurricane Katrina. And I was outraged that George Bush had done little to nothing to help the people of New Orleans rebuild their shattered lives.

I wrote this to express my anger at the natural disaster, fate and then-President Bush over what had happened to all those people. Which is why I also dedicate this piece to all those who suffered and died, and those who survived and manged to rebuild. Looking at photos of New Orleans five years on from Katrina, it's absolutely amazing how humanity has been able to rebuild.

Speaking of photos, I had REALLY wanted to include photos to show the remarkable difference that has been made five years on. Unfortunately, the bloke who took the pictures couldn't give me permission. Which is a shame, as I really feel it would've helped give this video so much more power.

Anyway, to New Orleans and its people...this is for you.

D.C. Wood (02.05.2011)

***


Why, Katrina? Why, Mr President?

Look at this...
Mother Nature was angry.
Was her rage justifiable?
What could these innocents have done?
To earn her fierce, unforgiving wrath?

Is it because half of our race is lazy?
Because half of our race just doesn't care?
Three years into Katrina's legacy...
WHAT has changed?

Why does the McDonald's sign still not light-up brightly?
Why is there still excessive decay on that arena over there?
Why is every house, street and road smashed up to hell?
Why are people still scrambling and struggling to survive?
Just WHY...has New Orleans been shipped to the third world?

Are pointless wars more important to you, Mr. Bush?
Is that flag meant to provide comfort to those who've TRULY lost?

What is going on?

I know there's hope. Others do as well.
But surely...it doesn't have to be obscured by incompetence?
Do we have to accept what fate decrees without question?
Are we not allowed to show our resilience anymore?

I know there's hope.
Katrina knew, Mr. President can't deny it.
So where is it?
Where have they hidden it?

Where?

***

N.B. "What I Wanna Hear" is by Matt Schofield. Copyright Nugene Records.

P.S. I HAD contacted Matt Schofield and Nugene records - SEVERAL TIMES!!! - to see if it was okay to use this song for this project, and they never replied. NO INFRINGEMENT IS INTENDED. PURELY FOR FUN.

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Film & Animation

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• Poetry
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• George Bush
• Episode 5 Awful
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