The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide

Burn Australia Burn

I could see the faces - the faces of despair,
looking on in disbelief. Standing where
once it was their home, and now an empty shell
where they stood face to face with that infernal hell.

Now there’s nothing left but heart break and the tears.
Everything has turned to ashes gathered o’er the years,
but searching lives with hope and a smile comes through,
when a blistered album’s found with a photograph or two.

Below the smoky moon or the sun a ball of fiery red.
Where the wind enraged the storm to shower sparks ahead,
I feel a tinge of concern and worry ‘bout my turn -
when you burn Australia burn.

Do you turn and run - do you stay and fight,
in a hope that some way that you might
create a revelation if you stay ‘til the last -
You can re-build a home but you can’t replace the past.

I could see the faces - the faces of despair,
looking on in disbelief when standing where,
in the middle of their dreams knowing that they’ve gone -
and knowing that they all must carry on.

Below the smoky moon or the sun a ball of fiery red.
Where the wind enraged the storm to shower sparks ahead,
I feel a tinge of concern and worry ‘bout my turn -
when you burn Australia burn.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Horsman Avatar
April 13, 2020 at 1:25 AM
Back with you again, another of your gems from my favourites list...The poem will last forever, as will sadly the fires,
Laurie Avatar
April 13, 2020 at 6:16 PM
Hello Harry … as you probably know, bushfires with eucalypts as fuel are possibly the intense fires on earth. We were evacuated over twelve months ago when burning embers began to fall like rain. Real scary indeed - thank you Harry - Lindsay
Smith Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 11:28 PM
Glad you are still able to post. More help coming from NZ. and offers of respite holidays here. When I was in Lions they did it in past. Needed now more than ever. Stay safe and keep writing your Poignant poems. Regards David in NZ
Laurie Avatar
January 10, 2020 at 10:53 PM
G'day David … the fires are well east and north-east from us now. Our worry is that in the past, February is the dangerous period. Last Feb. we were evacuated with embers raining down on us. Thank you for your concern David and the help from NZ is very much appreciated, believe me David - Lindsay
Adams Avatar
December 31, 2019 at 5:33 PM
this is so sad....my heart goes out to all things living in the path of destruction... Happy New Year to you... may 2020 bring blessings and better times....
Laurie Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 8:53 PM
Hello Sandra … it is a very heart breaking scene for the many people who have lost homes, livestock, but more importantly, their lives. We are only engulfed with smoke. Thank you for your fine comment Sandra and may 2020 treat you well - Lindsay
Wolf Avatar
December 31, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Potent and poignant chronicle of these catastrophic fires, Lindsay. Thank you, Gershon
Laurie Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 8:49 PM
Hello Gershon … not sure when all the fires will be under control, but the 'human nature' blame game is gathering momentum. Thank you Gershon - Lindsay
Messina Avatar
December 31, 2019 at 7:29 AM
G'day, Lindsay. My heart goes out to the people of Australia. Nice write, mate! Hoping all is well. Happy New Year my friend. Charlie
Laurie Avatar
January 6, 2020 at 8:46 PM
G'day Charles … it really is a disaster of huge proportion. The fires are way east of us but the smoke is like thick fog. We had an inch of rain yesterday and that cooled things down. I trust you had a great festive season Charles - Lindsay
Horsman Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 7:51 AM
LOve this Lindsay. to my fav, i agree with the comments here, wonderful poetry, on such a tragic situation.
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Hello Harry … spending time in Australia, you would possibly understand better these devastating eucalyptus forest fires and their fierceness. Hard to imagine their fury - thank you for reading this verse Harry - Lindsay
Schneiter Avatar
December 28, 2019 at 11:13 PM
Exceptionally powerful, exceptionally moving . . . masterfully conceptualized and composed. In sum, a remarkable achievement, Lindsay. Hugs, Paul.
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:32 PM
G'day Paul … your comment has me feeling somewhat humble. I really can't thank you enough Paul. I trust you had a great Christmas - Lindsay
La France Avatar
December 28, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Lindsay, it is so heartbreaking to see on television the scenes of destruction that you depicted so well in your poem, prayers are all I have to give !
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Hello Dear Heart … these forest fires are like a marching army that can't be stopped. The fighters can only build containment lines to hold them up. Embers, extreme heat and thick smoke are what the fighters are up against - thank you Dear Heart - Lindsay
Dietrich Avatar
December 27, 2019 at 9:12 PM
I have to admit I was not aware of this because I rarely put on the news any more. It sounds horrific and you did a good job writing about it, Lindsay. I hope you were not affected. God bless those that were.
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:22 PM
Hello Andrea … we've only been affected by the smoke, but the fires are very serious in forests and timber towns not too far away. Many have lost everything sadly - thank you Andrea - Lindsay
Foster Avatar
December 25, 2019 at 6:54 PM
So sorry for the suffering and loss my friend. Prayers to you and all that you know... A well-written piece, so terribly sad. Ann
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Hello Ann … The fire problem is most certainly a huge one along the east coast. If not affected by fire, then the smoke is causing severe pollution. A few thousand homes have been lost and there doesn't appear to show any respite yet - thank you Ann - Lindsay
Curtis Avatar
December 25, 2019 at 12:09 PM
I can't think of much worse, We have Hurricanes, but many times something can be salvaged, but fire has no mercy. To you and yours I hope you enjoy this Christmas and have a flameless New Year My Friend
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:11 PM
G'day Jerry … many will tell you that flooding is worse than being burnt out. With fire, yes, almost everything is lost, but with floods, the damage can mean removing plaster, electrics etc. and sometimes the lot. I trust you had a great Christmas Day Jerry - Lindsay
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 25, 2019 at 2:10 AM
I feel so sad for everyone's loss and that of the animals. The Koalas and their habitat. It was heartbreaking to watch it on the news. Your poem shares that agony with poignant and moving emotion Lindsay. Our prayers are with all. My daughter had mandatory evacuation of her home with her pets earlier last month with the northern California fires but her home was spared. Blessings for Christmas my friend. xxoo
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Hello Connie … Sadly, most of the rescued koalas die from shock. They also a specialized diet from certain species of gums, so they're much harder to foster than kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, possums etc. and surprisingly, many smaller marsupials have developed a safe house until the fire passes. We are having a dangerous weatherwise today - I trust you had a great Christmas Connie - Lindsay
Theraven Avatar
December 24, 2019 at 10:32 PM
Merry Christmas Lindsay. -Richard
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:50 PM
Thank you for your Christmas wishes Richard. I trust you and your family had a great day also - Lindsay
Messina Avatar
December 24, 2019 at 5:04 AM
It is heartbreaking Lindsay. I hope you and your family and friends are safe. Sending prayers out to all. Happy Holidays to all my friend. -Charlie
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Hello Charles … thanks for your concern Charles. Yes, we're okay, but today is a real danger day, with the weather offering all the needs for forest fires to flare up today. I trust you had a great Christmas Charles - Lindsay
Allison Avatar
December 23, 2019 at 6:38 PM
its absolutely heartbreaking to watch the news, houses can be rebuilt in time but the lives lost cannot be replaced:-( hugs Jan xx
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Hello Jan … luckily there's been few fatalities, but a few thousand homes have been destroyed and it's going to be very dangerous today at 40C; hot winds; dry lightning strikes; all ingredients for forest fires - thank you Jan - Lindsay
Delaney Avatar
December 22, 2019 at 5:11 PM
”You can re-build a home but you can’t replace the past.” Words so true, Laurie. Have a wonderful Christmas and put a ‘shrimp on the Barbie for me. SuZ
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:39 PM
Hello Suzanne … and you can't replace lives. Holidayers east of here have been evacuated as the fires spread. We had a great Christmas thankyou. I trust you did also - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
December 22, 2019 at 1:05 PM
We have the same in South Africa Lindsay as we have throughout the country vast forest lands, many times inhabited and people intimidated - a wonderful poem. Hope you and your family are safe! Happy Christmas Lindsay. Jennifer.
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Hello Jennifer … yes, we're safe at this time, but some days the smoke like fog reaches us. 150 miles east of here, a mass evacuation has occurred. We had a great Christmas Jennifer, I trust you did as well - thank you Jennifer - Lindsay
Leffanta Avatar
December 21, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Seeing that koala's fur on fire should motivate everyone to get out of the way! It's face was like that of a child trying to comprehend what is happening. Surrounded by an ocean of water, I still do not understand why they don't douse fires before they become uncontrollable, but well put, Lindsay! Aloha! Rico
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:31 PM
G'day Rico … you would understand better Rico if you were there. Oil in eucalyptus forests burn like petrol. The flames are 100 feet high and the fire creates its own weather. The oxygen is taken out of the air and just about an ocean of water could barely contain them. They're not like any other fire you could imagine - thanks Rico - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
December 21, 2019 at 4:34 PM
Just been watching that terrible tragedy on the news Lindsay, how awful for the people caught up in it. Hope things are okay where you are. Tom
Laurie Avatar
December 29, 2019 at 4:24 PM
Hello Tom … 30,000 holiday makers evacuated in East Gippsland today. Still a long way from us but the smoke is in the air. Thanks for your concern Tom - Lindsay
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