Aftermath

Oak leaves float on water
From the trees that once stood tall, firmly rooted in history
Stagnant water that was formerly a powerful river
Now submerses the pavement
And houses
And people
Of this once-great city
Grandmother’s lace
Tinted with age, smelling of lavender flowers
Taken out of its resting place
In the bureau drawer
Now it lies in the dirty street
Soon to be erased from memory
Along with the other remnants
Of this broken metropolis

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Susan Storey, age 15
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Louisiana State University Lab School
Teacher: Connie McDonald (2006 Teacher of the Year)