Flames dancing
Crimson, orange, ochre, red
Flames prancing
Red, ochre, orange, crimson
Coals glowing
Scarlet, yellow, indigo, violet
Coals flowing
Violet, indigo, yellow, scarlet
Flames growing
Higher
Higher
Higher
Flames s~p~r~e~a~d
Crimson, orange, ochre, red
Wind blowing
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Eucalypts bending
C-r-e-a-k!
C-r-e-a-k!
C-r-e-a-k!
Koalas fending
meek, meek, meek
Kangaroos hurrying
hop, hop, hop
Bandicoots scurrying
shriek, shriek, shriek
Wallabies jumping
jump, jump, jump
Tails thumping
thump, thump, thump
Cockatoos screaming
Squawk!
Squawk!
Squawk!
Currawongs calling
People bawling
Run!
Run!
Run!
Fire roaring
Flames soaring
Everything scorched
Torched
Done!
Nothing left
But ashes . . .
Survivors bereft
The fire won.
Revised and amended November 12, 2019
A/N I dedicate this poem to the people living on the east coast
of Australia who are presently experiencing catastrophic bush fires
as a result of extremely high temperatures, strong winds and long periods
without rain. 11/12/19 ~ Gail
