Lindsay Laurie Poet Rhyme

Bushfire Above Labertouche

Thunder rolls in the distance, lightning jags across the sky,
all around the heavens are angry … a fiery strike becomes the eye.
 
With little rain, and tinder forest, flame reaches out for what is near,
rising through gum and wattle, as undergrowths all disappear,
hell rises up to the heavens; fear on four legs run or die,
sparkling ash swirls to the forefront; smoke quickly fills up the sky.
The roar is a warning to all. Don't hesitate! Run, crawl or fly -
When confusion has ended; destruction and shattered there lie
leaving all eerie; blackened! Scarred! A lifeless bleak charcoal waste,
with layered ash casing the soil. Each living soul has been displaced …

Listen! … The birds are returning. New green appears on blackened tree.
The forest floor is changing; sweet new growth swarms abundantly,
There's movement ahead in the distance - returning is the kangaroo!
Where lush picking is for the taking, as this forest returns anew …
The circle of life is completed. Banksia, grass tree will soon return.
Clematis and orchids will show their heads ... 
… and thrive ‘til the forest - is once again ready to burn.

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Connie Marcum Wong February 10, 2016 at 2:30 AM I agree, fires are needed for new growth in forests. Mother Nature knows her stuff!

Connie Marcum Wong February 9, 2016 at 10:59 AM This is so beautifully written Lindsay. Life renewing itself. I must fave this gem! #7 Lindsay Laurie February 10, 2016 at 12:54 AM Thank you once again Connie. Sometimes the fire that destroys is needed for renewal - Lindsay

Suzanne Delaney February 2, 2016 at 11:42 PM Hi Laurie: I remember back in my father's time the Forestry Dept. and landowners would do controlled burns so that the undergrowth didn't build up to tinder box levels. With these slower burns the wild life can run ahead of the flames. It was usually done in the cooler months when bushfire danger was low.. A lot of native trees need the fires to germinate their seeds. Loved your descriptions. SuZ Lindsay Laurie February 10, 2016 at 12:52 AM Hello Suzanne ... this still goes on Suzanne. Unfortunately one got out of control recently and did massive damage. Thanks for your comment Suzanne - Lindsay

Scott Thirtyseven January 18, 2016 at 6:43 AM And now we don't let anything burn? Oh this summer has already proven why in too many places, but it is the natural cycle. Fine poem mate. Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:53 PM G'day Scott ... yes it has been an early start this summer and there's a while to go yet - thanks mate - Lindsay

Daniel Turner January 16, 2016 at 11:17 AM Cleansed by fire, new life is always a beautiful thing. I like this poem. Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:51 PM Thank you Daniel for reading and leaving a comment. Fire is certainly a cleansing process in the scrub and probably needed - Lindsay

Andrea Dietrich January 13, 2016 at 8:25 PM Stopping by to say hello. I have to get off here really soon and I hope I already commented to you tonight!! Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:47 PM Yes you have Andrea; nighty-night - Lindsay

Pete Yuhas January 12, 2016 at 7:21 PM Really like this Lindsay, you put us right there. Thanks Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:46 PM Hello Pete ... thanks for your comment Pete. It can be a frightening experience at the time and so beautiful just one year later - Lindsay

Phyllis Babcock January 12, 2016 at 2:21 PM Beautiful so descriptive that I can picture this place. love phyl Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:43 PM Thank you Phyllis for your comment. We are into the fire season now and already there has been tragedies and many homes lost - Lindsay

Andrea Dietrich January 11, 2016 at 5:14 PM you know, you are showing such versatility with this rhyming poem. I love your talent. This is GREAT descriptive writing!! Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:40 PM Crikey Andrea, you're making me blush. Thank you for your encouraging comment - Lindsay

Paul Callus January 11, 2016 at 5:10 AM It is terrible when fires cause such destruction, but you show that not all is lost, and out of the ashes life will sprout again. Your imagery is expressive and powerful. Enjoyed! // paul Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:38 PM Hello Paul ... thank you for your kind comment Paul. The Australian bush has learnt to cope with fire; its the humans who build houses in the bush that haven't - Lindsay

Kp Nunez January 10, 2016 at 11:50 PM Your writing is a raging fire here, Lindsay. Great imagery, you really capture the scene. Glad to see that nature quickly heals itself in your part of the world. Best! :-) Lindsay Laurie January 20, 2016 at 11:26 PM Thank you Kim for your kind comment Kim. Sometimes the returning scene is different with certain plants taking a stranglehold and taking over - thank you Kim - Lindsay

Legendary Legend January 10, 2016 at 9:07 AM a job well done....keep it up Lindsay Laurie January 10, 2016 at 8:37 PM G'day there LEGENDARY LEGEND ... thanks for reading and putting up a comment - Lindsay

Anne-Lise Andresen January 10, 2016 at 7:07 AM - A tragedy ..... but Mother Nature made things right again - A great poem, Lindsay ... well written - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Lindsay Laurie January 10, 2016 at 8:30 PM Hello Anne Lise ... bush fires are very dangerous for many reasons, but in three years you would hardly know that one occurred with the bush being lush and green again - thank you Anne Lise - Lindsay

Connie Marcum Wong January 10, 2016 at 3:34 AM I could so easily visuallze the terror fire instills with your awesome imagery Lindsay. This poem is brilliantly written my friend! I loved the sense of renewal. #7 Cheers and I wish you a most blessed 2016! Lindsay Laurie January 10, 2016 at 8:26 PM Hello Connie ... bush fires appear to be getting more intense and dangerous due to us humans wanting to build homes in forests. I hope 2016 goes well for you Connie - Lindsay

White Sage January 10, 2016 at 1:25 AM well written Lindsay, the ability of the forest to regenerate's great Lindsay Laurie January 10, 2016 at 8:21 PM Hello white sage ... thanks for reading white sage. Every plant specie has the ability to recover in its own way, as long as the fires are not too regular - Lindsay

Mark Woods January 9, 2016 at 11:14 PM Its as if gum trees need to burn, and every summer there seems to be an Aussie fire on the news. Obviously terrifying as it burns, but the fresh growth thereafter must be amazing. Lindsay Laurie January 10, 2016 at 8:16 PM Hello Mark ... there's an out of control blaze in WA now. The oil in gums is extremely volatile but each specie has a way of coping with fire. I have driven through a forest two weeks after a fire, and the scene is black, green, and eerie - thanks mate - Lindsay

Keith Bickerstaffe January 9, 2016 at 11:03 PM Isn't it amazing how the forest can return to greenery after such a conflagration. Your descriptions of the fire are sharp and compelling... I could SMELL the fire! BRAVO Lindsay!! Best wishes, Keith Lindsay Laurie January 10, 2016 at 8:06 PM Thanks for your comment Keith. It appears that the Australian bush is designed to cope and regenerate quickly after fire but with human intrusion it is very dangerous now. Already over 200 homes have been lost this summer - catch you soon Keith - Lindsay