Noise

I.

The drains do not always work.

Near Laie town men and women must leave;

all things deteriorate. When the water rose

to the knees I knew it was time to leave.

Home was gone, there would be no dove.

"Never again,"

He said.

II.

I lived in Kanagawa once,

mind you, I can tell when

I should get on my knees

and pray.

But surely not yet, suijin,

mizu no kamisama,

spare one, saint,

I have been in your dank cave.

My child, only child,

knows your name.

Yet your storm is coming.

I've heard "never again" before

and you aren't supposed

to hear it twice.