Scattering charred leaves gather in private at the base
of a scarred fairy ring of trees

Grieving over great loss broken in two

to the tune of millions the earth sheds tears

as she says goodbye
to some of the most ancient of

Mother Nature’s creation

Dislodged woodland critters convene
in a grotto that miraculously maintained

a shred of water to quench

their parched and frightened bodies

offering a bit of solace and relief,

if only for a staggered breath or two

Meeting up around the bend

a soft breeze rolls up along the ravine
tired of fanning flames

now rests momentarily among the broken forest

Offering a bit of hope a sparrow
flits and fluffs its feathers
on a remaining branch

still showing life

despite the raging flames unfloundering below

As it sings its saga of the recent days

from a bird’s eye view

Breathing out and in
catching occasionally

A staccato exhale,
she sighs

Another day begins
yielding a growing hope