Dear Editor,

The following is a poem I wrote after the passage of Hurricane Melissa:

Hurricane Melissa, a storm so bold,

Left damages wide, stories untold.

Floods and landslides, destruction’s path,

Thousands displaced, homes lost in wrath.

Roofs torn off, windows shattered,

Trees uprooted, power lines scattered,

Agricultural losses, food shortages too,

A nation’s cry, a people’s pain anew.

Communities torn, families separated,

Memories lost, futures uncertain.

The sound of rain, the howling wind,

Echoes of a storm that will forever linger in.

Schools destroyed, hospitals damaged,

Infrastructure broken, lives rearranged.

The economy suffers, livelihoods lost,

A nation’s progress temporarily crossed.

But in the rubble strengths did shine,

Resilience of people, hearts that entwine.

Communities united, supporting each other tight,

Brave responders shining like a light.

Hope and faith, like anchors hold,

As they rebuild, restore, and grow old.

Lessons learned, preparedness improved,

A testament to strength in the face of storms endured.

In Jamaica’s heart, a spirit strong,

Rising from the ashes like a morning song.

A people’s strength, a nation’s pride,

Rebuilding lives side by side.

With every step a story’s told,

Of trials and test, of hearts made bold,

Of struggles and strife, of victories won,

Hurricane Melissa, a storm that’s begun.

The road to recovery, long and hard,

But with each sunrise a new chance is sparked.

Hands that rebuild, hearts that heal,

A nation’s spirit that’s truly real.

Through the darkness a light will shine,

Guiding Jamaica through the stormy night divine.

For in struggle there is a story to be told,

Of people resilient, with hearts of gold.

And when the storms of life come raging strong,

Remember Jamaica, where hearts sing a sweet song,

Of hope and courage, of faith and pride,

A nation’s spirit that will not be denied.

In the face of adversity we will rise,

With a determination that opens eyes,

For Jamaica’s people are a resilient breed,

With hearts of love and spirits that feed.

So let the drums beat, let the flags fly,

For Jamaica’s strength will never die.

In the face of Hurricane Melissa’s might,

We will rise again with a radiant light.

Pauline Nelson

paulinenelson905@gmail.com