Different Colors

There is no way to accurately describe Joplin.
Driving in from the north, entering the city it appears fine, normal even.There is the usual hustle and bustle; lives seem to carrying on as they would everyday. But as you head farther south, deeper into the city, the parking lots get fuller; you start to see soldiers standing in the street, either waving cars on or turning them around.

And then it all just stops.

I can't say that the scenery was unworldly, because it was objects that I recognized, but the colors of the city are different. The soft and calm greens, blues, and browns of Joplin are now miles of  reds, oranges, and blacks. The hot colors create an organized chaos. Restlessness and urgency fight the law. Fire engines race through the streets, and although there were no fires, you could feel a smoke of self-defeat. Large spray-painted Xs haunt all the buildings and cars. The mixed feeling of the joy of finding something that survived the storm and the agony of remembering the love ones who didn't. Heat and tiredness. It seem to go on forever.
Slowly hope and determination are starting to uncover the original colors of city, and push back the heated colors of destruction.
Slowly....