By Cynthia Mitchell
The curtain of smoke parted
for a short while, this morning,
bringing relief
from burning eyes –
not to be confused with
relief from burning fires.
Suffering immeasurable,
devastation widespread.
Many beings of mountain forests
losing more than humans,
whose homes somehow
rated more valuable,
are built on top of theirs.
Tragedy measured in lost lives
of firefighters –
Wolves, bears, moose, deer
and other creatures,
coming in second.
An eerie beauty in the smoky sky
creates artful sunsets
and a momentary relief
from an ancient fear…
Cynthia Mitchell lives in Ashland, Oregon.
