Carmelina Dean-Burrows

Freeport, Grand Bahama

Lower Bogue's Calamity

The July 1928 morn was calm, fair and crystal clear,
And no Bogueman 'bout hurricane warnings did hear.
So about their fishing/farming chores they did go,
While eyeing the weather for signs that could spell "woe." When of a sudden the sea raged and howling winds blew high,
And across the sky darkened clouds did fly.
Beating rain, like angry bees, the Boguemen's feet did sting
While these people to houses on the hill, some food and themselves
did bring. Later through battened windows their eyes popped wide,
For gone was all the water from the bay and all the weather commotion died.
Then like happy children, Boguemen over dry sea bottom walked,
And under clear skies 'bout the bad weather, they laughed and talked. Then suddenly in the southeast a prodigious black cloud appeared,
And the big black sea rose like a monster, the people it scared.
Boguemen ran to hillside houses, themselves to save,
But the sea-chase gave their farm animals a watery grave. Then off with Steadman's house roof, him to kill and drown,
And with a stick, James to stab, his entrails ran on the ground.
After the hurricane was over, my uncle James was dead!
Many Boguemen had bodily injuries, including great grandma Sara's head.
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