Smooth trunk orange
Purple shine
Parched grey
Hanging on
Drought big time
River gum statuesque
Dove greys and blues
Limbs crashing
In the wind
Sap bleeding hues
Afternoon sunshine
Sparkle dancing leaves
No water
In the ground
Swooning tree grieves
Lightening strikes
Flames leap out
Roar through
Tinder dry
Long time drought
Parched earth
Scorched dry
Burning barren
Landscape bare
Trees all die
Rain comes
Smell the air!
Releases seed
Saplings shoot
New gum trees everywhere.
Bush Fire
Please also see sweetscent62 ’s beautiful “Bushfire” painting which this poem is proud to accompany.
I live in rough mountianous terrian in one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world. With summer temperatures often in the mid 40s and strong winds – watching the sky for smoke is a constant subconscious summertime habit. However, bushfire is a natural phenomenon and some gum tree seeds do not germinate unless they are burnt by fire. We are surrounded by thousands of beautiful eucalypts of many varieties…I have seen them devastated by fire only to return stronger than ever the next year or two. We have also just come through a seven years drought and although gum trees are so hardy, a few didn’t make it.
KEITH R. WILL..., 5 months ago
sweet poem about a new beginning of nature
cheetaah, 5 months ago
Great poem, but it is reality, very scary.
SharonD, 5 months ago
Wonderful Estelle.Well written.
Ulrikeart, 5 months ago
Love your style, to the point , makes one feel the reality of it. You really get it done. Great write..!!!
Mark Moskvitch, 5 months ago
Estelle,
Excellent piece…it captures the progress and ominous nature of a bushfire well. Nice work!
Natella2020, 5 months ago
Wow, very real and inspirational.
ELENNE BOOTHE, 5 months ago
Love it. Keep them coming.
Estelle O'Brien in reply to ELENNE BOOTHE’s comment, 5 months ago
Thanks Elenne – you know I hadn’t written a poem for many, many years…and I just woke up the other morning and wrote that down! I am glad you like it.