4. LISA CERNUTA

FOR NINETYSIX YEARS WITH THE BRIGHTEST OF SPIRITS
SHE LIVED IN THE VILLAGE THAT GAVE HER LIFE BIRTH
WITH LOVE AND HUMILITY, EYES FILLED WITH LAUGHTER
SHE GREW INTO WOMANHOOD CLOSE TO THE EARTH
AND SHE MARRIED HER SWEETHEART BUT BORE HIM NO CHILDREN
SO SHE GAVE OF HER LOVE TO ALL THOSE WITHIN SIGHT
AND THAT LOVE RETURNED HOME TO THE SOUL OF YOUNG LISA
IGNITING A FLAME THAT BURNED CLEAR AND UPRIGHT

OH MY HOME IS MY HEART AND MY HEART BELONGS HERE
IN THIS HOUSE, IN THE VILLAGE THAT I HOLD SO DEAR
NO AND NOTHING WILL MOVE ME, NOT FLOOD, STORM NOR FEAR
SO FOR LISA CERNUTA, PRAY SHED NOT A TEAR

THE SEASONS THAT TURNED TOOK HER HUSBAND IN PASSING
LEFT LISA ALONE THIRTY YEARS OR MORE
BUT HER KINDNESS AND WISDOM, SMALL DEEDS OF ASSISTANCE
BROUGHT THE SPIRIT OF LOG TO HER WIDE-OPEN DOOR
IT WAS DEEP IN NOVEMBER, THE YEAR WAS TWO THOUSAND
ON MANGRT A RIVER OF MUD BOILED HIGH
WHEN THE WARNING RANG OUT:
“LEAVE YOUR HOMES, LEAVE THE VILLAGE
THE MOUNTAIN IS MOVING. IF YOU STAY - YOU WILL DIE!”

OH MY HOME IS MY HEART AND MY HEART BELONGS HERE
IN THIS HOUSE, IN THE VILLAGE THAT I HOLD SO DEAR
NO AND NOTHING WILL MOVE ME, NOT FLOOD, STORM NOR FEAR
SO FOR LISA CERNUTA, PRAY SHED NOT A TEAR

AT FIVE PAST THE MIDNIGHT, A TORRENT OF MUDSLIDE
SMASHED DOWN ON THE VILLAGE AND LISA IN SLEEP
AND THE LAND THAT FOR NINETY-SIX YEARS HAD SUSTAINED HER
CLAIMED HER LIFE BACK AS IT BURIED HER DEEP
BUT THE SPIRIT OF LOG LIVES ETERNAL IN LISA
AND SIX OTHER VILLAGERS LOST ON THAT NIGHT
FOR SHE KNEW WHO SHE WAS AND SHE FOLLOWED HER VISION
IN THE MOMENT OF DEATH, SHE AFFIRMED HER BIRTHRIGHT

OH MY HOME IS MY HEART AND MY HEART BELONGS HERE
IN THIS HOUSE, IN THE VILLAGE THAT I HOLD SO DEAR
NO AND NOTHING WILL MOVE ME, NOT FLOOD, STORM NOR FEAR
SO FOR LISA CERNUTA, PRAY SHED NOT A TEAR
FOR LISA CERNUTA WALKED ON THROUGH HER FEAR….
FOR NINETY-SIX YEARS, WITH THE BRIGHTEST OF SPIRITS