Airy Words, Solid Folks in Florida

It's been said of words that they are naught but air, as if this were a diminishing blow, but those brave souls that plant their homes in Florida know of single words, names, that have put an end to the air of not a few unlucky folks—names that shudder the roof and the doors, batter the windows, soak the floors no better than shores: Andrew, Katrina, Milton—words are titans in this subtropical climate, but our people are fighters in this avocado and mango fall peninsula, in these poinciana groves, in these pirate sawgrass glades And though we give airy names to our variform cities, our St.Petersburgs, our Miamis: we are all family mates on this blessed ship. All for Florida & Florida for all Strike the bow and we of the stern welcome our Northern loves with open arms and hearts that beat as one I welcome you to my home: won't you stay a while?