Zombie Fire

I have been sorting through my documents and re-arranging things over the past little while. In the process I have come across a lot of half-finished thoughts and poems. Here’s a poem where I was clearly experimenting (and struggling) with a rythym scheme – and with using poetry to respond to news.

So far this summer, I have been really lucky and there hasn’t been much wild fire activity in my area, and very little smoke.

Zombie Fire

“it’s not uncommon for some fires to burn through the winter… usually… a couple dozen, not the 106… listed as active on New Year’s Day… the rain and snow didn’t come.”

• More than 100 wildfires still not considered out after B.C.’s record wildfire season – from The Canadian Press – Jan 16, 2024

The rain and snow didn’t come

but beetles and thieves meet

when will the secreted flames blossom?

After another scenario of drought the rivers unplumb

pick sides, bicker and argue, lay blame and repeat

the rain and snow didn’t come

This is not something that will easily succumb

deep smouldering thousand-year archives of peat

when will the secreted flames blossom?

Arguments are jettisoned when ashes darken sky, as a rule of thumb

then men and women bear on together for beast’s defeat

the rain and snow didn’t come

One by one, meter by meter, destroy this ravening, mad freedom

a trench warfare, an advance, a retreat

when will the secreted flame blossom?

Let it burn, let it cleanse, some say, allow life and death to compete

if the sins of our fathers must visit us, how long to clear the balance sheet

the rain and snow didn’t come

when will the secreted flame blossom?