God dragged a finger
Through the chalk
Of Joplin’s blackboard
And once the dust settled
It would never be the same again;
Down streets that I stood
And in structures where I sat
And on faces passed
No further light
Will fall or comfort.
But what is drawn
Can be remade;
What is written
Read again,
And there’s our strength once more;
For even as lives are lost,
And buildings spill their contents;
Even as whole roads
Are stripped of clothing
Nothing can prevent new growth;
No sign or actuality
Can still the brave spirit
From concentrating itself
Into something stronger
Than its contents,
And please know
That this great twist of fate
That touched all of you,
Also turned its heel in me,
And I will never forget you.
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