Can’t believe a simple storm dixielanded across the Leeward Islands spitting rain Would gather strength over the Bahamas Can’t believe oceans of cassava fields, swelling rivers of dark houses Could syncopate death on the Florida Keys Can’t believe once black skillet streets drowning in cottonmouth water Did surely rise along the way to New Orleans Can’t believe Lake Pontchartrain trumpeted over her levees, over Ninth Ward eaves Until Hurricane Betsy whimpered and wailed before hitting the Northeast Can’t believe Betsy birthed the Army Corp of Engineers for bigger better city plans ‘cause this could never happen again