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Open Poetry #28
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They're Painting Our Forests Red!
| Open Poetry #28 |
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They're Painting Our Forests Red! |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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 They’re painting the forests red, Our grass is all brown instead of green. This is the hottest, and driest summer That British Columbia has ever seen. More than 750 forest fires rage, As firemen and volunteers never sleep. With no food or rest they all struggle on, While our valuable forests they try to keep. It was very sad in one city called, Kelowna, One of the most beautiful tourist destinations you could be, 2,750 evacuees and 238 families lost their homes All burned to the ground, it’s so tragic to see.  Like true Canadians they picked up their socks, Together now they rebuild and renew, Restoring this resort for all visitors, Soon it will be ready to say, “Bienvenue!” Just as the worst was over we thought, Cranbrook's now in our prayers and the news. It seems the blistering summer fires rage there, For another city, this devastation continues. Cher donated all proceeds of her concert To the Canadian Red Cross Fire Relief Fund. Others have taken her generous lead now, To help those so very disheartened.  In Cranbrook, 200 residents now evacuated, No home, just hope and a prayer. Thank God for the volunteers, troops,and firefighters, Who give up so very much to be there. Root systems of trees are on fire, Too dangerous to fight it at night, So off they all go each morning, Protecting our forests with all their might. To those that have given so much To save lives, and our valuable resource, From each of us that is safe and unaffected, You are our heroes of course.  ~*~ They are literally out there spray painting our forests red with a fire retardant to try to control these raging fires. This is written in all sincerity, and dedicated to those men and women who are fighting 750 forest fires in British Columbia, Canada right now. They are putting in 16-18 hour days, and sometimes with empty stomachs, until local citizens and volunteers come to bring them food. These firefighters certainly have a lot of heart! Also, acknowledgement goes to those folks who have taken these evacuated families into their homes and cared for them in this their time of need. God Bless You All, and it makes me proud to be a Canadian  pictures - CBC Canada I don't want to know where I am heading, it will spoil my journey. Carpe' Diem [This message has been edited by Mysteria (08-30-2003 05:59 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
This is truely tragic.. those poor trees, the homes lost.. Those firefighters are real troopers, thank you for this.. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
We've had our fires this summer, too, and it is devastating to watch them, and read of the lives without homes. I will keep our wonderful Canadian friends in my prayers, Mysteria...and may this winter be blessed with the healing rains and snows we need so much! |
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Goldenrose Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665 |
Thank you for the poem written in such a difficult situation ..hope that all of you Canadians are back to normal very soon and well done to the firmen/women who have faught this natural disaster..i send you my thaughts and my prayers at this very testing time for you.. Goldenrose. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sharon This reminds me of the devastating fires in the mountains behind my house last year. It can be so frightening to watch the rage that is in fire. The dedication of the men and women that fight fire is commendable. Thank you for this. |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Sharon, I used to live in a community called the Blackwater Forestry. Almost all the men who live there are workers with the state of Florida. Almost every year a very big majority of them have to go somewhere in Florida to fight forest fires. A lot of my family by marriage are among them. I have heard so many stories from the firefighters view. They always make me sad. Thank you for this poem and giving your view. My prayers and thoughts are with all concerned. Hugs  Ethel |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Dear Sharon: I have been following the news on the fires and I do commiserate and pray for the people involved. It is tragic and beyond comprehension if one hasn't been through it. Of course we have had them here in the Pacific Northwest of the States also and eight fire fighters lost their lives in a car accident returning from fighting a fire. It is so sad , not to mention the beautiful trees and the wildlife. I pray for rain for all of us. I hope your poem touches a lot of hearts of people in position to help. Love to you Joyce |
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SharaRose Member Elite
since 2003-07-19
Posts 2501Somewhere out there~ |
This is so sad to read. British Columbia is one of the places I have always wanted to go see. It's awful how many stories will come out of this. So much loss, but let's hope in the end there will be a blessing in disguise, bountiful. Here's hoping many good things come from this that will be positive from the negative. SharaRose @-->-- Of sound, and speech let all lift the hearer! |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
This is big news even here....A continent away. I was wondering if you were in the area...Stay safe! And yes, a disaster. Ed... |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
You paint a vivid picture, Mysteria. I recently came home through Montana and had over 400 miles of smoke often as thick as fog. Kelowna is one of my all time favorite places to visit and was very saddened to read of the lost up there. My heart goes out to all Canadians at this woeful time. Ken Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
It is a tragedy. So many evacuations of people, so many lost animals from the forest. I believe our global climate changes will make such events happen more frequently, and as the population grows and puts the environment under greater stress, we have to find better ways to manage our resources. Canadian forests are (were) some of the most beautiful in the world.  I remember hiking with you in the hills above Vancouver, which are fantastically gorgeous. I'm hoping you don't encounter any fires near your beautiful mountain and city. Safe thoughts and hugs from us. PS, one of Sara's friends from the internet does live (lived?) near the Kelowna fire area. They haven't stayed in touch, but we really hope everyone is safe. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
your pictures say so much and your words just add the heartbreak and loss to them and the families affected. We have had a very strange weather pattern for a few years now. No rain or too much rain. I hope they are able to stop the fires soon and I wish you some rain to cool everything down. hugs M |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
my prayers go to those displaced, and to those fighting the fires....I hope this ends soon....  |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I woke up to news they have started in Cranbrook now, and of course I live on a mountain where thousands of hikers enjoy the trails (sure hope none of them smoke.) Thank you for all your kind wishes, and I will leave this up hoping some more see it, and send the entire thread to each City's Chamber of Commerce to let them know they are thought about. Kacy, Kit, Nan, you know where I took each of you up Grouse Mountain behind me? Well, they have closed all that area off to tourists, (the tram ride), and our entire city is on total watering ban, car washing, etc. to conserve the water "in case", and that is one scary thought let me tell you. I don't sleep well, and wake up smelling to see if there is smoke, so can you imagine loosing it all? How absolutely devastating. I bet Sarah's friend would like to hear from her about now. They have set up a relief fund for the province and those that have are giving to those that need, and at least that is happening anyway, but how do you ever replace family pictures? [This message has been edited by Mysteria (08-30-2003 02:39 PM).] |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
tragic yes, I understand the pain and the pride here... |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Mysteria - I've seen the devestation in BC, it's unbelieveable. Kelowna evacuted up to 25,000 people, and I've seen at least three towns burned to the ground... The firefighters are excellent and are doing one heck of a job to stop the disaster... BC |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Sharon I keep seeing it in the news. I feel so bad for you people out there. Goodness I hope you get rain soon. The whole country just feels helpless wishing they could something for your beautiful province. I'm thinking about you . Eric |
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Kielo Senior Member
since 2002-02-11
Posts 1109 |
I know a few families who have lost homes to the fires. It truly is horrible to watch. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to our firefighters and volunteers.  Kielo I'll never forget you.... I know that much, despite my foolishness. |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(big hugggsssssss) Oh Sharon, it hurts me so much to hear of hese forest fires, dearest friend, God Bless all the wonderful men and women helping either contain the fires or donate to the victims of the families devastated by the fires! (sad sigh) I know how it must feel because Colorado has had bad fires in recent years too, including the Glenwood Springs fire and the fire near Los Alamos, and when you drive down the interstate you can see the damage clearly! (wipes tears) God Bless You, dearest friend, I send rain dance hugs your way and to all your British Columia friends, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sharon, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Sharon...If I had the power I would send you rain to put out the flames. This is so sad seeing what took hundreds of years to grow go up in flames in a matter of seconds. Thanks for sharing...Paul "To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you" |
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timothysangel1973
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725Never close enough |
This is terrible, I feel guilty now for complaning about the heat...when I DO still have a cool home to seek shelter from the sun! I will keep this in my prayers! May the rain come soon, and may the fires be extinguished quickly! Tima |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
We have to make it through this holiday weekend with no rain in sight but everyone is sure out there helping. Bill..."Mysteria - I've seen the devestation in BC, it's unbelieveable. Kelowna evacuted up to 25,000 people, and I've seen at least three towns burned to the ground... The firefighters are excellent and are doing one heck of a job to stop the disaster..." I trust you are okay where you are? There was a fire near Chilliwack too last night, but they got it. Sure makes it hard to go to sleep when you live on the side of a mountain in the forest. I was thinking about you actually up there, and praying all was well. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Such horrible devastation... Be well...stay safe Sharon. God Bless. ~ Summer can't be over... |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Sharon, this is so sad and simply terrifying. Thankyou for bringing it to everyone's attention. I pray for all of those involved. Chris "Hope" is the thing with feathers |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
So very sad... |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
My dear fellow Canadian, what you have done here is wonderful.  So many to be thanked, so many to be cared for, so much work to be done. There have been so many sad and tragic stories--and the loss of animal life and habitat sickens me as well.Loving hugs, Linda |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I am not sure if this link will work but the cost of putting out these fires is simply unbievable! The are paiting hosue with fire retardant now at a cost of $1,000 a home to try to save at least some. This is the hottest summer on record, and it has cost us millions and millions I bet. Thanks for looking. This link is to CBC news (on the right - click BC Fires - Photo Gallery) and it will show you the impact on the forests, wildlife, and on human beings. http://www.cbc.ca/news/ http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=bc_home&articleID=1396490 [This message has been edited by Mysteria (09-02-2003 06:18 PM).] |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Here's praying for a bit of rain on your side of the world. |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Sharon, this is an excellent account of what's taking place. My parents just flew into Kelowna the other day to visit with some friends, and had been following the news for the last while, wondering if they would have to cancel their trip as they weren't sure what the situation might be. If it's OK with you, I'd like to send them the link here to your poem. It's devasting to say the least. Excellent poem and pictures of the plight of so many. Well done indeed. Praying for rain on this end for you all. Stay safe. Best wishes and big hugs, /Kit |
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