Songs of Sandy and the Sea

"Songs of Sandy and the Sea" was a family variety show at the Brooklyn Historical Society, put together by Lloyd Miller. UNY's own Leah Umansky read her first ever poem for children (text copied below!), Lloyd sung a selection of nautical tunes (including Dead Horse Bay), circus performer Justin Wood awed (and terrified!--in a good way) the audience, and an amazing assortment of adorable children sand, drew, and danced along. 

Leah read at Lloyd Miller's event at the Brooklyn Historical Society on December 7th, 2013.

Lloyd sings his Underwater New York song at his event, "Songs of Sandy and the Sea" at the Brooklyn Historical Society on December 7th, 2013.

Poem for Hurricane Sandy by Leah Umansky

Lady Liberty spotted the hurricane

so did the George Washington Bridge,

but she was too busy watching television

and wondering what she could eat in the fridge.

She knew her family would lose electric,

and knew that their cell phones would fade

so she got out Scrabble and Monopoly

and wondered when was the last time they played.

They each took turns playing Scrabble.

They were having so much fun.

No one thought about the hurricane,

but they hoped it would soon be done.

The dog was asleep under the table,

and her father set up another game.

She turned up the radio louder,

and wondered who else was doing the same.

She kept listening to the radio,

and wished that everyone was safe and sound.

She wondered what her friends were doing,

and hoped everyone made it to higher ground.

With the Hurricane came devastation,

and beaches and seasides got ruined.

Some streets of the New York City flooded,

and many felt they were doomed.

But, soon everyone came together,

when the storm had finally passed.

She heard about charities on the radio,

who were bringing relief to people fast.

She actually enjoyed spending time with her family

without laptops, phone or TV.

She enjoyed the silence and laughter.

She felt happy, grateful and free.

Once the storm subsided,

and her parents went for a drive,

they heard of so many people who lost everything,

that she felt grateful to be alive.

She helped her parents gather food and clothing,

that they could drop off for people in need.

She felt good knowing she had helped others

and that her family had done a good deed.

The Hurricane had done so much damage

to neighboring beaches, cities and towns.

She kept thinking of her favorite places

and wondered if they’d still be around.

She agreed with her mother about one thing

that in every time of despair,

people come together

and everyone does their share.

When she saw the reports on the news

she couldn’t believe what she’d seen

she saw people helping people

and that’s what community means.