Catharine Phillips: Rebuilding New Orleans

With permission–KSH.

When all the bishops
Have rebuilt New Orleans
Painted, dry-walled, hammered nails
Together
I wonder whether they will gather
On Monday
And immediately see
They are as broken as New Orleans
We are as broken
As New Orleans
Even with the money poured in
And poured out

I wonder whether plaster dust
Will make a difference
In the complexion
Of the gathering
On Monday
Or will they all be showered
And mostly shaved
Present themselves whole and healthy
Proud of what they accomplished
Together
(the ones who stayed)
Proud of what they accomplished
Apart
(the ones who left)
Proud and whole
And never broken
Two parts
Never broken

Catharine Phillips
September 21, 2007