How Much

Written on October 28, 2024

How much pain can a heart hold?

A man buried to his chest 
crying out for his wife and children
who are buried under him

A woman on a roof
who watches her young son and elderly parents
get pulled into the rapids 

A family who’s been here for generations
lose 13 of their own
in one landslide 

How much pain can your heart hold?

How much love can a heart hold?

A family who lost their home and belongings
helping a woman search 
for her lost children

A group of self-organized kayakers 
kayak through the flood to bring supplies 
to people trapped by the flood

Wedding guests staying at a farm
wading in chest high water 
to save the animals 

How much love can your heart hold?

A stranger giving me a hot meal 
when I haven’t eaten in three days 

Neighbors showing up to dig through the mud 
in my house to see what can be salvaged 

People showing up to plow the mud 
in my front yard so I can walk to my front door

Friends holding my child so I can cry

People sending us 
clothes, 
toys, 
books, 
money, 
food 

People praying
Strangers giving
Family holding 

How much love can my heart hold?