After the Tsunami

"God willin' and the creek don't rise"
was always the mantra
echoing through the hollers
of my hillbilly ancestors.

God willin' and the creek don't rise -
We'll plant the corn tomorrow.
We'll butcher that hog on Wednesday.
These canned goods will last us the winter,
God willin' and the creek don't rise.

Now, I in 2005
take up the ancient chant -
God willin' and the creek don't rise
I'll go for a hike on Saturday.
I'll see my sweetheart next Sunday.
I'll lose this weight by summer,
God willin' and the creek don't rise.

The Muslim man
surprisingly smiled gently
and said he survived the tsunami
by clinging to the mosque's minaret
as he watched his world wash away.

Now, in this post-12/26 world
I, who do not know
who God is, nor his will -
I now incant the mantra
with a twist -
"God willin' and the tsunamis don't rise..."