Chaparral

The land sizzles.
Brittle grass
yellows the hills.
Live oak draw sparse circles
of shade.
Spiky shrubs
cling to the parched slopes:
red stemmed manzanita,
spiny scrub oak.
Hot wind rustles the leaves.
The chaparral holds its breath,
waits for the spark,
to burst into blaze.

Later,
in the ash covered ground
under charred trees,
seeds waken and stir.

8/1/2017
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
August 6, 2018 at 10:35 PM
As much as forest fires are natural, they still are very scary reality. Lovely poem, Agnes.
De Beaulieu Avatar
August 9, 2017 at 7:54 AM
I love the photos, this is a beautiful poem you have written. hhave a good day my friend.
Cozart Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 7:47 PM
Living in SoCal the fear of fire is palpable in this write. Congrats on your win.
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 7:56 PM
Thank you, Dale. Yes, every time I drive in the hills, I try to imagine how the people feel who live there - the entire landscape is ready to go up in flames at the slightest spark. It's scary.
Rodrigues Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Congrats on your win!
Lane Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 5:42 PM
A great write for a medal with this one, Agnes. Beauty is found over the entire earth...we just need to look.
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Thank you, Lin.
Ashley Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 3:05 PM
Hi Agnes, ohh I love this vivid wordscape. Beautifully done! Congratulations on your win :)
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Thank you, Susan.
Rodrigues Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Absolutely lovely!
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Thank you, Kim.
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 2, 2017 at 8:12 PM
It is so true that fire helps to keep the environment in balance. This is one magnificent poem Agnes! You have an Angelic touch where nature is concerned! : )
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 9:29 AM
Thanks for your kind words, Connie. They mean a lot to me.
Dietrich Avatar
August 2, 2017 at 5:57 PM
wow, Agnes. This is so filled with imagery. I love the metaphor in it too. So beautiful.
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Thank you so much, Andrea.
Warrior Avatar
August 2, 2017 at 5:09 AM
Very well illustrated my friend...have a great day...^WW^
Krampe Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Thank you, ^WW^. A good day to you, too.
Allison Avatar
August 1, 2017 at 7:21 PM
What a wonderful nature poem Agnes:-) It's amazing to think that after the land seems to be decimated after a fire it actually rejuvenates the soil and new growth flourishes:-) hugs jan xx
Krampe Avatar
August 1, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Yes, it's a miracle. Several of the plants in the chaparral community require fire in order to germinate.
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