This is America, the home of
the free and the brave!
This is America, a land who
freed their slaves!
This is America, where we
can read, write or say
anything we want!
This is America, where
equality is upheld and to be treated equal no
battles ever has to be fought!
Is this America, where we are
sending our young people to die in
a war that never should have been?
When they leave chances are
we will never see them alive again:
Is this America, when there’s a natural
disaster that causes thousands to attempt to
evacuate, but after all is over and many are
stranded they are left to burn in the Louisiana sun
without food, water or any way to protect their children
from being raped and killed, waiting four nights and five days
before anyone comes with help, not even in this life saving race:
We, at least, air drop water and supplies when other countries
have some of their people in this same type of case;
Is it true what’s being said, was it because of their financial status and
minority races? I hope that’s not true;
people are still people; they are citizens of
this country, just like me and you:
I was there through it all, even though, I was watching
on a Maryland TV;
I had family rescued from roof tops,
taken to the bridge;
my sister and my nephew;
We talked on the phone until “Katrina”
had passed through:
When I returned to the TV her house covered with
water; that's all I could see;
In fright I picked up my phone; I was home all alone;
all contact had been cut off from all my family
All contacts were gone:
I tried to contact in all ways and finally got my sister
in North central LA;
Just a voice from someone in my family seem to some how comfort me:
She knew no more than I;
all we did was pray, talk and cry:
I said to my husband, “I want to go home!”
I had reservation to fly to N.O. the day the storm hit;
I had them for a while; They closed the air port there;
My family says that was GOD taking care of his sick child:
We packed up supplies that we thought would be needed and
was on our way, not a week later, only four days;
I was shocked to hear the governor of LA say
“Stop the rescue effort and go after looters instead!”
This statement cut like a knife down in my soul.
She was saying to the police, the people and to the world
those insured, flooded out items in the stores is
worth more, in her eye sight, than those citizen stranded
baking in the sun, dying on the bridges, drinking contaminated water,
starving to death, being raped and murdered, being gunned down by
the police, going into labor giving birth and both baby and mother dying
and I can name more but now I am crying:
These are eye witness reports of what they had to endure;
but what hurt them the most, was one word
when I first heard it I fell to my knees,
I do not know who started this
but stop it please
they are Americans
can't you see
They are evacuatees
not
refugees!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Author notes
1/19/09 contest: Speaking out for those who suffered through Katrina and her aftermath!!!
Joyce (jacbgd2)
"Memorial category"
re-visited today because of the anniversary of this horror on August 29, 2007 I am in Louisiana with my husband and his family grieving the death of a loved one. Nothing much has changed from the last visit. I am featuring this poem again in memory of all those thousands of people who died during the horrendous days following the worst disaster of my life time, hurricane Katrina. I want the family members left behind to know, we will never forget this tragedy of the century! I still shade tears over this occurrence!!
re-visited re-run (8/02/07) after a visit to New Orleans and seeing in some areas, mostly the poor areas, it looks just as it did the day after "Katrina" hit. Where is all that money donated to help victims? Where did the millions of dollars go? Certainly not to the ninth ward or to Cleveland Ave., one street over from Canal St. My sister lost all she had there and even the insurance companies don't want to pay off. It has been years, not days or even months of suffering for these people.... Where does our allegiance lie? Certainly not at home along the Gulf Coast!!!!
Also, to honor our troops who are still fighting for our country and losing their lives! We thank you for all you are doing and pray this war will soon come to an end!!
5/27/07
I memory of a friends grand child who was gunned down, for no reason on the streets of New Orleans... Where are those gun happy policemen who shot innocent people during the after math of "Katrina". This child was shot 18 times and he was only 14yrs old. The sad part is the person who they were looking for to shot was not there, so they shot this child down just because they wanted to kill somebody and that somebody happened to be a child!!!! After all this time no one has been arrested.... Is there an investigation on going? I doubt it!!! The young man happened to be Black... It is probably now in the "cold case" files or that all too often file used "file 13"! My heart goes out to this family. Color or financial status should not matter. He was an innocent by stander, some mother's child and a human being. That should be reason enough to investigate.
In memory of all that lost their lives during the 5 day of suffering and after..
(I felt the need to run this poem today... I really do not know why!!! I just try to do as my mine leads me)
[I'm running this poem again because of the senseless deaths in VA this past week, the deaths in the Houston shooting, the many right here in MD and all others I didn't hear about....."FATHER, again I ask, forgive them for they know not what they do!"] (4/21/07)
I am sorry that the USA did such a poor job of taking care of it's own people in their time of need. We are known to be "Johnny on the spot!" when anything like this happens in another country, but we can not take care of all of our people at home . Who are we then "Johnny help you not!" or "Johnny help you not, unless you are a certain race, creed, class, color, religion, political party, etc!" I am running this poem again because Easter is approaching. I wonder how GOD felt about how HIS children were treated during and after hurricane "Katrina"? There is no excuse for withholding water,food, shelter and police protection etc. from stranded citizens of the USA . After all this is America "Home of the free and the Brave!" Stranded women, children, elderly, new born, pregnant even still Born's were denied protection for 5 day and nights left to swelter and die in the LA day time heat this shame will be on the USA history books forever. Think about it 1000 and 1000 of people died unnecessarily, just because of the color of their skin or they were poor. I am ashamed for us and my family went through it all. I have tears running down my face when I think of what we went through. I stayed in tears because I couldn't be there with my family and them suffering without me. I talk to GOD about this country and I say just as my LORD JESUS said: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!"
A contest entry
- Round 1: Hit me With your Best Pre-write. by edit my world..
425 points, ended October 20, 2007, 64 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Poems about this utterly ridiculous society (Round 1) by Lyrical Rain.
525 points, ended April 14, 2008, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - A Call to Action by Backporchphilosopher.
700 points, ended February 4, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 40 of 40
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"This is America, where
equality is upheld and to be treated equal no
battles ever has to be fought!"
that made me laugh. either equality is forced here via things like political correctness and affirmative action, or else there's prejudice. there's really no middle ground and saying that america is a land of equality and hope for all isn't exactly true. some americans do have to fight for their rights -- namely, homosexuals, transgender people, and countless other groups. as a foreigner and a homosexual, i'm not treated too well by your countrymen, not at all.
but anyway. this was a bit long and ranty so i struggled through it, especially because you have very little punctuation and you broke lines in weird places. i'd suggest going back over this again for those reasons.
-endymion -
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This poem is very personal
Thank you for your comments and option I appreciate your thoughts. If you read the whole piece, then you know that it does not say that equality in this country is equal, on the contrary, it says just the opposite. I note your suggestion of the need to change some of this piece and note taken. However, I wouldn't change one line, one word, one concept, one idea, one anything for anyone. This is a very personal piece. It was written at a very difficult time in my family's and many other families lives. The inequality show here out surpasses that shown to any one group. It touched many races, many denominations, sexual preferences, etc. None of it would I ever change because it was not written for any particular reader to love, like or accept. It was written to express the inner most feeling of the people effected and their families. If it was too long for you to read, I with you would not have struggled to do so. If I feel a poem is too long, I just don't read it. Best wishes in your writing. By the way "ranty" that's your option and I appreciate it, but feel you are very wrong. Every words herein has a meaning for those affected by Katrina. It's funny, New Orleans marti Gras has a crew and a float named "Endymion". How ironic you would choose this name. -
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yes, i know it was meant to contradict what you said, but i just thought it was ironic anyways. personally i'm sick of dealing with americans, so i'm sorry if my frustration seemed blind. i can't imagine how horrible it must have been during the hurricane.
and no, don't change anything. i read this for the feeling and passion you put into it, and i read it because it was interesting.
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points for great write!!!!!!
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im in tears from reading this entire piece and your commentary at the end in AN. What a tragedy and to think its still not getting better disturbs the hell outta me. and these damn wars everywhere. when does it end. i cant tell if we're coming or going nowadays. you've penned an excellent write. you should feature this again. your AN were heartwrenching. your piece was very vivd and heartbreaking. very well done.
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Beautifully worked righteous anger. I can think of no other way to describe it. It is a shame that we treat those in other nations with a higher regard than our own. Not to say that other people in other nations do not deserve the best we can give them, but why can our people enjoy the same treatment. Brilliant piece!
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Impressive, emotive piece, poet
Still timely given so many living in FEMA trailors or out of state, homeless, suffering. I remember well watching in horror that CNN could be there broadcasting yet we couldn't seem to get food and water and medical supplies in????? Powerful write. Thanks for entering. -
Wow this hit home for me. I had to evacuate because of Katrina. This write feels just as personal for me as it did you. It seems like the government doesn't care sometimes. Amazing write.
Shade
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Wow! I am impressed that you had the strength to write this I loved it
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Pass the tissue
OMG! I didn't have "family" there during the storm, but I felt as the water was rising that each person there was a part/piece of my family left behind and forgotten.
Now I'm crying again with the memories of those who stood on the roof tops, waving their arms, screaming for the helicopter to land. And the murderous spray paint on each doorway recounting the homes where victims were found.
This is not a place in history to be forgotten, while the tsunami was still moving our government along with countless others were mounting relief efforts. Yet we allowed our own to suffer...
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Oh my!
The rage and disgust are clear and this is a great piece...thanks for sharing
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my friend was in the hurricane and she told me all about it and said people were dying from heat cause of no power so no ac and no water and food and people were shooting people for water just to survive. she said it was like being in hell and ill always remember it forever even tho i wasnt there
love rhianna
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Yep.
This is beginning to happen here, already. The media is not getting all the facts out. Of course.
It seems to be getting better, people are finding places. Many hotel and motel chains are offering free stays, food chains are offering free groceries..
But, Katrina was a whole different force, altogether.
I have been rescued from Hilldebrandt Bayou in back of a dump truck, because of a flood, but, nothing like this.
I'm sorry you had to go through that, but glad you made it out, alive.
I will never again refer to them as refugees, I promise.
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Wow. This is quite some poem that you have here. It is very sad and dramatic. I read all your author notes and it is very sad to hear that you and your family had to go through all of that. It really must have been hard. I think that you did a good job of expressing yourself here though.
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In a country we held so dear
Yet today we watch in fear for the new world way they speak of is too sad to even fathom for who will be next and how do we fix it -
I usually try and offer a constructive critique if possible but with a write this personal I cannot. I am so moved by the harsh,raw reality because this isn't fiction but fact after painful fact that those in NO faced when Bush looked away,went on vacation despite the best satellite systems in the world informing him that his people were in imminent danger.This was a national tragedy and became international as the world watched in horror those trapped and asked where was the president? There were orders to free the thousands of prisoners,shoot the looters,the supplies being sent were not allowed in and destroyed for want of the correct signatures,doctors trying to escape were ordered at gunpoint to stay,bodies spreading disease in the waters,the futility as chaos reigned within the most powerful country in the world.
Just think of the huge operational scale of transporting thousands of troops for war,the huge amount of supplies of weaponry and food et al,if Bush has the power to oversee those who organize with military skill to kill then he has the same power to help save and heal.The chaos of Katrina was on an unimaginable scale but the enquiry should have asked 1) why wasn't a full scale operation in plan given that the satellite systems gave ample warning?
2) Why did Bush not postpone his vacation in deference to the national state of emergency?
3) Why did he stay on vacation for several days after the disaster,unable to even collate an action plan from there?
4) Where is the audited account of the funds raised to help those disaffected by Katrina?
5) Is there a plan in place now to be fully operational in the face of another such disaster?
This write nor my opinion will not alter the minds of those cavalier enough not to care but there is no guarantee where the next disaster will happen,if it happens in their state they will surely wish there are plans in place,plans overseen with the equavalent operational skill of a military campaign and the appropriate people around to sign the necessary forms.
As for the president,why isn't it written into the constitution that "the taking of a vacation in the state of an imminent national emergency is forbidden"
God bless all those who lost their lives,those who survived the terrible sights and experience and those who grieve for their lost loved ones.God bless all those who heroically did whatever they could,like the actor Sean Penn,who swam in the diseased waters to reclaim bodies.
The men,women and children in NO did not deserve to be deserted in their time of need,let us hope,campaign,ask for questions to answers,pray and learn from everything that was wrong so that next time there is a chance of getting it right.
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Wow this is amazing. You never think that America would do that to their own people, even as their sending effort to help others overseas, they can't seem to help their own. When in the end, if we don't help our own, then we won't be able to help those overseas.
A great write! Keep it up!
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It is only the ones left behind that can change things, by making their voices heard. We vote these politicians into office...we can vote them out if they do not serve us well. Most countries are guilty of neglect on the home front. They should learn by their mistakes and make amends. Bravo for this strong voice
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very intense. and you are correct, those people are americans who need our help. i am not against helping other countries but i often have asked how can we help them without taking care of home first. i wish you and your family well in this healing process. viyanna rosemarie
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I didn't like the introduction to this. I know you were trying to make a statement about the fact that these American lives were just being ignored, when Americans are meant to help each other but to me it sounded like the start of a completely different poem. I thought you wrote the rest of this poem well though. I could feel the emotion in this (although I felt it could have been a lot stronger) and you really made me feel for these people. However, the line lengths really didn't make me happy! I am one of those people that wants to run from such long lines! You did manage to kep me interested though, which most writers don't (with long lines, I mean)
Thankyou for entering and good luck in my contest.
Katie -
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Thank you very much for your options on the poem about "Hurricane Katrina". I honestly feel you missed the whole point for it's writing. The introduction was not meant to make anyone like the poem. It was to make a statement of all the untruths of life in America. I love to write things that turn out to be the exact opposite of what the reader thought when they first started to read. I love to read these types of poem myself. The line lenght here was irrelevant.... The words all needed to be said!!! You don't understand, this is not just a poem but and out pouring of my and others from this areas hurt, worry, crying, shock, etc. It wasn't me who kept you interested through the long lines. It was the agony of those of us, yes, I said us, because I did make it to what was left of home. I shopped for groceries with the military pointing guns at us in lines to enter the super market, letting only a handful at a time; I lived without, fresh water (unless bottled), electricity, telephones and even the loss of the ability to get money from the bank, when only cash could be used at all stores that finally opened; I saw fights at gas lines of the scared people and I lived for a month in that terrible holocost. I lost total contact with even my children and one of my sisters and nephew for one week. I had to go home. I had to be there with my family and friends. I was unable to contact anyone outside of my hometown when I finally made it home; I saw small children hungry, unclothed and ill. I write of this to allow the world to know of some of the terrible things we experienced, not to give pleasure, but knowledge to each reader and it has to be read not only with your mind, but also your heart. Sorry it was not up to your standards. In this one standards were not my consideration.. Nor was my intent to please anyone. I just had to put down the truth!!!
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Thank you very much for your options on the poem about "Hurricane Katrina". I honestly feel you missed the whole point for it's writing. The introduction was not meant to make anyone like the poem. It was to make a statement of all the untruths of life in America. I love to write things that turn out to be the exact opposite of what the reader thought when they first started to read. I love to read these types of poem myself. The line lenght here was irrelevant.... The words all needed to be said!!! You don't understand, this is not just a poem but and out pouring of my and others from this areas hurt, worry, crying, shock, etc. It wasn't me who kept you interested through the long lines. It was the agony of those of us, yes, I said us, because I did make it to what was left of home. I shopped for groceries with the military pointing guns at us in lines to enter the super market, letting only a handful at a time; I lived without, fresh water (unless bottled), electricity, telephones and even the loss of the ability to get money from the bank, when only cash could be used at all stores that finally opened; I saw fights at gas lines of the scared people and I lived for a month in that terrible holocost. I lost total contact with even my children and one of my sisters and nephew for one week. I had to go home. I had to be there with my family and friends. I wasn't unable to contact anyone outside of my hometown when I finally made it home; I saw small children hungry, unclothed and ill. I write of this to allow the world to know of some of the terrible things we experienced, not to give pleasure, but knowledge to each reader and it has to be read not only with your mind, but also your heart. Sorry it was not up to your standards. In this one standards were not my consideration.. Nor was my intent to please anyone. I just had to put down the truth!!!
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wonderful write
your poem and the auther notes held me captivated til the very last word, you have described this terrible event so vividly. i am sorry that so much prejudice still exists in some of the less tolerant states of america; i am sure it does also in england, but here you could go to prison for openly discriminating against black people, for example if you were an employer. everywhere in the world still has to 'grow up' a bit, and see there is not difference between race, but simply in how people behave and treat others and society.
my heart goes out to all those affected and still living in the aftermath of hurricane katrina, and you have expresed your emotions on the matter so well here. i wish you all the best in the contest with this truly wonderful piece
lucy
x-o-x
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Your poem held my interest from beginning to end. It is very personal and quite informative. I had no idea the boy that was shot by the police in New Orleans was a 14 year old kid. There is going to be retribution owed to the children. I am sure they will see to it with an out in the streets protest when they become of age.
Excellent poem. Good luck in the contest.
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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Once again you seem to have a very strong connective ability to the disasters and travesties that this country faces. Which makes you either the most unfortunate person or one of the few peole left in this country that still has a mind of their own and smart enough to watch the news and form their own opinions.
Again, very graphic write... I had the pleasure of doing blue roofing down in LA for about 2 months after Katrina and what went on there is far more tragic than most of the peole in this country will ever realize... truly a complete failure to the cause of mankind, something that the Bush administration is a little too practiced at. -
very good an dlong poem!! you did a great and wonderfer job with this poem!! It amazing!! I really enjoy it!! have a great day!!
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Powerful
This is amazing. I have to confess, I am not one that likes to read long poems.....but I did enjoy this one....read it from beginning to end and am so glad that I did. One can tell it was inpsired....thought provoking....stirring the pot of emotions. Very nicely done!!
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Well written here
Yes we were all heartsick and so hurt to see and hear of all those left to fend for themselves. It has gotten to where rules and regulations of doing it by the book is costing so many lives these days . There was a time where the instant something like this happened they got right on it and reported it afterwards . Now it takes them two weeks to get a go to help anyone . And for the looters where were they going to go with the stuff it was all flooded HELLO
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Great Write
I too have family in that Katrina disaster. My Daughter in Mississippi. She still has yet to recieve any help from any government agency. America, is it really so great? or perhaps it just puts on that air for others to see..We kill babies by the thousands, send our children off to war, let our old, sick, and poor die on the streets of our cities.."God, forgive them for they know not what they do." I have to give you three applauds for this extremely well writen write...Pen On!
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Bravo!
My new friend you have kicked the USA in the butt and they needed it. I had no idea of the lack of response to this disaster. The reflections you have shared here need to be seen by all to get some short hairs pulle in this "one nation under God". We have a social problem in this country from the vast influence of money and power. The one that has keeps getting and the one's that have not never will. Andof a matter of time vs. opposition are going to take away our right to pray to a merciful God for His help and blessings. The depth of this write and the future of the world has already taken on the shape of prophecy written and foretold of such actions (or lack of) being just the beginning of how bad it will get sooner than we think. Bless you for your write and for the tears you shed in the name of our Lord Jesus to help others overcome the cruelty of this new world and it's politics on human worth. Thank you for your bravery and outspoken words in these matters. I truly see and believe the masters of disasters are busy counting their money and the hell with everyone else. You know what was said about the rich man getting into heaven and the storing of that that can rust or be stolen. These words are were we are today. And there is more to come. Sincerely your friend, Don
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greed had a lot to do with this.Not thinking had more along with stupidity as what do I do now, who will get the credit for doing what. too many people do not know how to help or care for others nor do they care to let someone else do the job. If I help how much do I get paid
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A sad pitiful truthful, and not a story.
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wow... noe to self: do not read this while at work...
crying at your desk does not put across the most professional attitude!!!!
an amazing piece, and message... it was the "father, forgive them, they know not what they do" that got me the most...
forgiveness is truly the most admirable trait anyone can posess. -
Masterful!!
This is a Materful piece of writting. I am unable
to write alot because I can't stop crying, but
I think you said what really needed to be said.
nothing but the truth. For I to was watching the
dreadful scene on t.v. that day. I literally cryed
for days. You captured your feelings so very well
I love this MASTERPIECE. thank You dear friend.
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You really captured the emotion in this. It really brings me to tears thinking of all the hurting people out there and the ones effected by that horrible catastrophe.
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I also live in Marland...Your writtings here are so very sad, and so very true...I got tears while reading this...we do not take care of our americans...why do we send so much to other countries , when we have not saved what is here...Katrina, was an awful experience, which I hope is never repeated...what has happen to the american dream that we are suppose to have here..when you can turn on the tv and see what has happen with Katrina..how can one sleep at night...this war is wrong...the weather is off...god help us all...your work here was very thought provoking..as you can see it did strick a chord with me...thank you for sharing
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very well written. Heartfelt and huge hugs to you. Thank you for sharing your vent with us. It gives those of us who had no family there an inside view from your emotional torment. God be with your family.
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Brilliant write. This was very powerful and explosive. Although I am a South African living in New Zealand, we all heard about the terrible happenings that went on there. So sorry to hear of that. It must have been terrible. Well done for writing such a wonderful poem to highlight the atrocities of man when they think of themselves and the money they can make or lose. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep up the great work.
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Another one old George dubya has to try and make his voters forget..think he is past the point of no return here and I say good riddance. Great country but what a chump.
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oops forgot applause
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