Floods

I wrote this during the 2024 Central European floods and with the extreme cold and several weather warnings for severe snow in place in Central Europe at the moment, it felt fitting to share.

2002, the hundred-year flood they call it

My primary school slide is under water

We stay at home

Watching the rain fall

2002, now remembered by everyone

No power, no house, no home for many

I stay safe and sound

But the dark memory remains within me

2002, happened a long time ago they say

It won’t be that bad again

And now we know better

We can protect ourselves, know what to do

2002 becomes a distant memory

Only plaques tell of the record highs now.

Enter 2024, the floods come back worse than before

People realising we could’ve, should’ve done more

2024, a new hundred-year flood they call it

The river in my town is surging

We stay at home

Concerned, watching the rainfall

2024, will be remembered by everyone

No power, no house, no home for many

I am safe but don’t feel safe

And the dark memory comes back

2024, might happen again soon they say

The trains won’t be able to run for months

Turns out we didn’t know better

And I am scared for what’s to come.