Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
Storm's a commin'
and I don't know why.
Just got a get out of this place,
befo' I die.
Born to this situation,
didn't ask to be in this chair.
Metro's not answering,
and I'm goin’ nowhere.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
Katrina's not commin'
didn’t call to say.
Other Katrina's commin',
commin' today.
The winds a howlin',
so's I can't hear.
TheTV shows me,
she's commin' near.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
Power's out,
so's I can't see.
Scared as hell,
please let me be.
Can't sleep,
waitin' for the dawn.
All I can manage,
Is a frightened yawn.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
First light,
and it's worse than I thought.
Roof half torn off,
and leaking a lot.
Can't reach no food,
and I'm dying of thirst.
Just thinking my brains out,
about the worst.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
Winds died down,
but water's still comin' in.
When it reaches my batteries,
I'm up to my chin.
No one to hear me
Oh, that damn water is cold!
Shocks my system,
and spasms unfold.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
with all my might.
There now, I've made it.
Shuddering with fright.
The mattress be floating,
am cold to the bone.
Coughing and spitting,
with a life of its own.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
Ceiling's a comin',
comin' up fast.
Hear choppers overhead,
don't think I can last.
Pounding on the ceiling,
doing no good.
Cold water breathin'
I'm gone from the hood.
Ceiling low, water high,
hellava way to die.
Image Courtesy KHOH TV 11, Houston, Texas
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Copyright 2005 © Ronald W. Hull