It was a gloomy morn, dreary and wet,
As on my way to school some friends I met.
We talked and laughed in a jolly way,
As we always did every other day.

We came to the river unusually high,
But with just a glance we passed it by;
Little dreaming that this same old river,
Before the night, was to make us shiver.

We entered our school with nary a worry,
Little thinking we'd leave in a hurry.
With books in our arms we went to each class,
Wishing the time would quickly pass.

Lunch time came and we all ate happily,
At the same time the river rose rapidly.
This rapid rise attracted our attention
And we became worried about this odd ascension.

We observed the river rise and rise,
Then we were given a bleak surprise;
The swirling water swept over its bank,
And then it seemed like the whole town sank.

At school we were ordered to hurry home
And earnestly advised not to roam.
Through muddy, icy water we had to wade,
Causing chills, up and down our backs, to parade.

At last we found safety on a hill,
Where we watched destruction with a thrill.
We remembered the flood of eighty-nine,
Knowing history was repeating this time.

Shattering glass in every portion,
While on the water floated a fortune.
The raging waters presented a sight,
Which was blotted out with the coming of night.

We cannot imagine the horror of those,
Who remained in their homes as the water rose.
They prayed in the darkness with nary a light,
And the thought of death, even the bravest did fright.

Others were trapped in dangerous plight,
And daring rescues were made that night.
Nevertheless the flag of death waved,
The fate of those, who couldn't be saved.

At last the river reached its peak
And away the waters started to sneak:
Before the dawn came folly round,
The river fast was going down.

It was a warm and beautiful mom,
But many wished they were never bom.
Smashed cars and wreckage lay all around,
And cherished things could not be found.

The waters receded ending the flood,
But left the town afloat in mud.
The people decided a plan to try,
To labor hard and not to cry.

A spirit of work was in the air,
And each person did his share.
Working hard under the mid-day sun,
Rehabilitation was well begun.

Now here the sun faded from sight,
And the town was bathed in gloomy light.
Just then a cry rose from a throat;
"Run for the hill the dam's broke."

The whole town seemed to act as one,
And for the hills they all did run;
Screams, cries, cars whizzing past,
I thought the end had come at last.

Terror and confusion with many a spill,
As each rushed madly for a hill;
At last in safety, but their minds numb,
They waited for the worst to come.

Wait and wait but all in vain,
It almost sent some folks insane.
Soon they knew the dam never broke,
That it was just an amateur's joke.

The thankful people went back to town
And labored hard each day around;
But trouble forced the Governor to call,
Troops to establish martial law.

Things went smoothly all the while,
The town was repaired in modem style;
And though it reduced many a purse,
Always remember, it could of been worse.