Notes About The Poem

This is dedicated to all the victims of the west coast wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington-

Wildfire Season

Wildfire season - I inhale, and choke
On fiery air, try to blink away haze
But all the sunlight is full of smoke
Drizzling embers fall in a burning dose
Like stealthy predators, they come too close
Swallowing the land in a scarlet blaze
Leaving us homeless and broke

To rebuild, we are left on our own
The red ink of insurance protects only their greed
They cynically say we should have known
As an 'act of God' they don't cover
It is on our shoulders to recover
Their profit more precious than our need
But we are not beaten; tenacity is home-grown.

8/15/18
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Wolf Avatar
August 20, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Love that last line. In time of crisis, we CAN rally around the wagons like the Amish! ~ Gershon
Faulkner Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 5:59 PM
Yes, relying on each other is the key to getting through-
Godwin Avatar
August 18, 2018 at 10:23 PM
First, you are empathetic enough to stand inside the victims emotions, and caring enough to put yourself thru that. I quit news this year which may be something I should rethink. Doesn't insurance greed stink big time? Those executives fail to realize they themselves are each an act of God holding life insurance. I want to shoot out their kneecaps and many other knees belonging to power and greed feeders. Oh, I went off. This poem deserves time and attention and healthy knees. CayCay
Faulkner Avatar
August 19, 2018 at 6:17 PM
Well - that was an interesting comment, but I agree about insurance companies and their self-serving policies, so glad you got so much out of this!
Krutsinger Avatar
August 15, 2018 at 8:04 PM
It sounded so desolate and hopeless until the last line rose up with glory and said "you cannot beat this family!"
Faulkner Avatar
August 16, 2018 at 2:27 PM
Thank you for your encouraging comments, Caren!
Sands Avatar
August 15, 2018 at 2:38 PM
Very well written. I love the last line too :)
Faulkner Avatar
August 15, 2018 at 3:07 PM
Thank you Heidi, appreciate that!
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