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.
Waiting for an end.
Witch Creek, San Diego, County, 2007
Impassive walls, lying and
Fiery tongues lick cold
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
sun burnt sun.
Fire at its witching hour from 2013.
Fire at its witching hour from 2013.

Love your poetry...not a fan of the subject! You do it credit with great imagery. Although fire has never been a direct threat but we were close; in Parker, CO during the Black Forest fire and in CA when the Sonoma fire raged.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I remember a Colorado fire that was sweeping around the landscape.
DeleteFabulous fire photo, though I hope not too much damage was done. Good poem.
ReplyDeleteDamage is always hard to imagine.
DeleteThat last shot is surreal...
ReplyDeleteIt does have the other-worldly sense.
DeleteSusan, your poem is outstanding, to say the least. Between your words and the photos, you've described those wild fires perfectly. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSeeing a fire from a distance is this horrible.
Deleteyou are such a talented writer. the fires are horrid and that last photo hurts my heart..
ReplyDeleteEvery year California has some awful fires. When, is the question.,
DeleteI shudder over the fires, though I delight in your words.
ReplyDeleteBeing close to the fires is an incredible experience.
Delete