Streaked
with
Gray
and pink....
Wisp to wild.
Grasping, consuming.
Wisp to wild.
Grasping, consuming.
Billows
of ashes and dust
Swirl
upward—
A
gift to fires
Of
all fires.
Witch
Creek,
Cedar Creek,
Mount Palomar,
Esperanza:
Mount Palomar,
Esperanza:
Burn
to the ocean
Or
stop at the crest?
Waiting for an end.
Impassive walls, lying and
Fiery tongues lick cold
Waiting for an end.
Impassive walls, lying and
Fiery tongues lick cold
Gusts transport feathery remains
of homes and trees
To
rest, layer upon layer,
White
and Gray.
Green
life, now absent,
Becomes
moonscape
In moments, in hours.
All
from
A
sunburnt sun.
Fire at its witching hour
Fire at its witching hour
Good job, I especially liked the phrase 'sunburnt sun'- a hint of irony in there.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed that! I thought it played well.
DeleteCaught nature in her blast with quite the storm cast
ReplyDeleteWe live 25 miles (cross country) from the worst fire, could see it on the ridges to the east. Our car was covered with ash 'snow'.
DeleteGreat line--blast and cast.
Nice poem and amazing photos. Your moonscape line is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteHaving driven through the burn area after the fires, it truly was a moonscape.
DeleteAnd how scarily true it is. We are already (in spring) having fires here. Rather a lot of fires. Though the sunburnt sun isn't to blame for at least some of them. Deliberately lit. Hiss and spit.
ReplyDeleteNor is the sun the absolute blame. Most fires were started by carelessness, campfires, or arson. The sun creates the wind through the hot air rising and cold air falling. I recently viewed the sun as another wildfire burned and it looked just like thin. I went from there
Deleteoops : just like this.
DeleteFires rage everywhere it seems
ReplyDeleteDroughts and lack of land management, I think.
DeleteVery nicely written, it's a sad scene at the end there.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great week!
To you as well!
DeleteFires are scary. We've been very fortunate here. I love your poem and photos.
ReplyDeleteR
Thank you, Rick! You are fortunate to escape fires, but your location is wet, with enough rain. Wish you could send some of it our way :)
DeleteNicely done, Susan.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I worry about my daughter, who lives in Santa Cruz, whenever I hear of a fire in California.
This year the fires have hit farther north, into the Nat'l Parks and areas. I know what you mean.
DeleteThis is very emotive.
ReplyDeleteFire is so beautiful, yet so deadly.
Fire is fine in a fireplace, but elsewhere?
DeleteChilling and beautiful. Very haunting. Thank you so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen.
Delete"All from a sunburnt sun".
ReplyDeleteLovely.
Pearl
One thing starts another...
DeleteFire, life-giver and life-destroyer.
ReplyDeleteIt is the irony of life that one element can both give life and take life.
DeleteWisp to wild....fitting alliteration . You can appreciate that I name my sewing machines, right? The first is Kenny, a Kenmore. Old Singer is named K8 (kate) which is how my sewingest gramma signed her live letters. Most recent, a Janome, is Kelly, because I bought her this summer, the summer my bff in Colorado lived in the only house left standing after the Black Forest fire.
ReplyDeleteThe only house left standing? Wow. I saw an aerial photo of events like this and stand amazed at the randomness.
DeleteI have a "Kelly" as well.
We once lived in wildfire country. They're frightening. But your poem is beautiful and haunting.
ReplyDeleteLiving in such keeps one aware at how quickly one things moves to another. Thanks.
DeleteThat was scary. Yea, even apocalyptic. You created the images very well.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Apocalyptic is an apt description!
DeleteWhat can bring life can also bring destruction. Yes, I sense the irony with your vibrant and haunting articulation.
ReplyDeleteGary