Cyclone Larry

Every year the cyclones
Are spawned far out to sea
And many tales have there been told
Of force one and two and three
But never in the annuls
Of any man still alive
Was ever faced the awesome threat
Of a category five.

Late into the season
Of March one recent year
When a cyclone they named Larry
(First nothing to fear)
Slowly gained momentum
None knew what was in store
For instead of roaming safe at sea
It tracked steady for the shore.

(Instrumental interlude)

Westward, an unerring course
It was an ominous sign
And up and down our tropic coast
All prayed the Sun would shine
For several days it’s grim intent
Maintained a Western drive
Force three to four, when at our door
Dear Lord, was rated five.

In the townships and the homesteads
Through afternoon and night
Folk took final measures
Hoped all was battened tight
Through the first hours of morning
Not many of them slept
And even the Faint hearted
Were forgiven when they wept.

The people stared in horror
When the wind reached a peak
All cowered in sheltered corners
Nor anyone could speak
Nerves stretched to the limit
As roofs were swept away
And the very walls imploded
Some feared, a Judgement Day.

(Instrumental interlude)

Without a let or hindrance
The tempest raged untamed
And left no means of comfort
For the young, the old and lamed
Little children whimpered
No shame in this, no shame
For hundreds all around them
Were fearful just the same. 

Though shattered, their conviction
Such things will surely pass
The flying debris all around 
Finally settled on the grass
In trembling trepidation
Ventured out to clearing skies
What utter desolation, God
There before their eyes

(Instrumental interlude)

They little saw what was before
No building left unscathed
And from the twisted, tangled wreck
Very little could be saved
From every forest tree you’ll see
Both leaf and limb were stripped
From others tall, their roots and all
From the earth were ripped.

Nature will recover
The scars will all soon fade
Again, we all may cherish 
Both beach and forest glade
But remember well this missive
And pray you’ll never see
Such awesome force as Larry
Come storming from the sea.

Remember well this missive
And pray you’ll never see
Such awesome force as Larry
Come storming from the sea.

(Instrumental outro)

Rodd Sherwin
to a composition by
Jeremy Williams