California Burning

Where is that rare, elusive rain that never seems to come?
Our land, once rich and fertile, is now a vast dust bowl.
Great lightning strikes upon the ground, igniting trees and brush
as flames erupt, a fearsome sight, appearing strong and bold
they fan out like fiery fingers, that greedily take hold.

Like an angry dragon's breath, the fire is hotly blown, among
the helpless hills and fainting grass, and in the forests old.
Strong are the whipping winds as these hot vapors, flung 
up to sky, around the towns and through the valleys low.
While raging fires lick the air, it's hot path ever grows.

In great alarm a call goes out, to those courageous ones
who rise up strong, to fight the blaze and conquer as they go
to take up battle by foot or plane, determined to overcome.
Rise up by strength or might, and banish this great foe
to save our land, renew our hope, for life and hearth and home.





Written on 8/3/2015

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 9/16/2015 6:09:00 PM
I am back again, to view this timely poem once more. As fire rages all over our state once again, I'm praying that today's rain (at least where I live), will aid those brave men and women who are fighting fire. While I'm here, I must thank you very much for my placement in your eternity contest! Thanks so much! Stay safe, and I hope no fire brews where you are!
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Laura Leiser
Date: 9/16/2015 8:46:00 PM
Thank you, Carrie, and I am greatly concerned about the fires here in California as well. We got some good rain yesterday here in San Diego, but I really hope northern California gets a good dousing soon! Thank you for your great entry and I'm so glad you were in my contest! God bless :)
Date: 9/3/2015 10:11:00 AM
I live in northern California, Laura, ... so I know first hand what you write about. We have a few acres in the hills, in what is usually the lovely country life, but this year we have seen smoke drift overhead, and it seems that every summer it is more of a threat. Are you a native here also? If so ....what part of the state. This poem touches home for me!
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Date: 8/11/2015 4:21:00 PM
You have painted a picture with words that inspire, educate, sadden and captivate the reader. It is well written, with powerful imagery that escapes the page and enters our minds with ease of skill. Emile.
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Laura Leiser
Date: 8/11/2015 11:27:00 PM
Thank you very much for your kind comments, Emile! They mean a lot to me :)
Date: 8/7/2015 7:55:00 PM
only more Prayer will bring the rain....there is no fire God cant tame....so humble thyself while on bended knee....Ask Him For The Rain, And Do So Faithfully....;)
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Date: 8/4/2015 6:38:00 PM
gosh, this makes me feel worried for California, which I also heard is doing very badly for water. What is to become of that great state. I lived there in the 80's and we moved for the crime rate, but I miss some things about it. This is a well crafted poem. I am not sure if all your rhymes are quite right because I know Francine likes strict rhmes (I need to review the form myself before writing one). anyway, very good descriptive writing.
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Laura Leiser
Date: 8/8/2015 9:20:00 PM
thank you for the helpful comments, Andrea :)
Date: 8/4/2015 12:56:00 PM
Laura, a very emotional write, I see on the news in Canada all the terrible fires burning in California, we have them to in parts of Canada but I am safe where I live, you penned it well and thanks for visiting my poem, tangled vines
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Laura Leiser
Date: 8/4/2015 2:48:00 PM
Thank you, Broken Wings. The fires are really raging right now in Northern California, where much of my family lives. Hope they get control of it soon.
Date: 8/4/2015 2:30:00 AM
Hello Laura... nicely described version on those fearsome and frightening fires. Each summer we pray that the eucalypt forests don't ignite down here but they often do - thank you Laura - Lindsay
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Laura Leiser
Date: 8/4/2015 2:47:00 PM
Thank you for commenting on my poem, Lindsay. The fires are bad here, right now. I hope the firemen get the upper hand soon!
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