Night of Smoke, Night of Fire

The noon skies were like midnight The dogs were quiet No trucks drove by No children shouted There were no bird songs There were no sounds The lights were out People sought refuge in homes— in cars We watched in awe -- our strong bold firefighters The sheriffs who picked up pets while They watched out for lawless men Even while the fires grew These heroes reminded us Love and nobility live even while the skies burn And the tree limbs singe The only lights flickering that night Were on the street's telephone poles The only sounds so silent were When doors opened then closed During the night of smoke, that night of fire