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Ratleader

Member Rara Avis

since 2003-01-23

Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

0 posted 2003-10-26 11:53 PM

Someone Else’s Fire

I can’t ignore this smoke.
It rags at the edge of every sense,
intrusive, omnipresent,
like a growl in the dark.

It’s fifty miles to where the fire
is eating hills and houses;
still there’s heat in this wind
and ashes falling, falling.

Breath shortens:
I am breathing someone’s life;
his car, maybe his wife.
There are people missing in this,
and it’s far from done.
What right have I to inhale
his photo album, breathe the cat?

Ashes of his neckties have
raised the alkalinity in my spa,
sweetened the water
with his heartbreak.
I try not to recognize
the part of me
that is glad of it.

wranx
Member Elite

since 2002-06-07

Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

1 posted 2003-10-26 11:56 PM

Well Ed
You certainly put a face on this bit of news for us!

Very well done dude....An awakening!

Temptress

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-06-15

Posts 7136
Mobile, AL

2 posted 2003-10-27 01:58 AM

breathtaking...as all your work is to me. Geesh..

You DO have a way with descriptions. I wish my writing was as sharp as this..and as it used to be. Writer's block has taken up permanent residence in my heart and soul it seems.

I love the idea of breathing in someone else because of breathing in the air. There is more to this than meets the eye it seems.

Good to see you again..

Jenn

I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

3 posted 2003-10-27 03:27 AM

Very good writing, my friend. I sure do hope
that you and your love ones are staying safe
from all the fires out there.
Hugs to you, Ed

Ethel

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

4 posted 2003-10-27 03:53 AM

echoing Ethel for lack of words of my own here

GG
Member Elite

since 2002-12-03

Posts 3532
Lost in thought

5 posted 2003-10-27 03:56 AM

You take it with compassion...
even when you're glad it isn't you... its still so much compassion.
How do you do this? you write so well!
Stay safe there...
Always, Alyssa

- And so it was that time stood still -
(blink, breathe, stand, fight)

dingusjr
Member

since 2003-09-24

Posts 415
Missouri

6 posted 2003-10-27 04:17 AM

Must have been some ugly necktie! Enjoyed this very much, Ed. Keep up the flow!
Larry

PouringJewels
Member

since 2003-09-18

Posts 158
Maryland

7 posted 2003-10-27 04:27 AM

Living on the East coast, I only got what the news gave. You have indeed put this into reality for me. Well writen.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

8 posted 2003-10-27 08:13 AM

Breath shortens:
I am breathing someone’s life;
=================================

the reality of that is heartbreaking...
so are the images coming to us via the news...stay safe poet sir.

"I've still got sand in my shoes
and I can't shake the thought of you ...
I wanna see you again."

Dido

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

9 posted 2003-10-27 09:17 AM

You have personified the fire.
What more could a reader ask for?

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

10 posted 2003-10-27 09:18 AM

Ed...Many are wearing masks to protect their lungs...if you have to be out today, perhaps you should too. What a poem!

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

11 posted 2003-10-27 09:30 AM

"I try not to recognize
the part of me
that is glad of it."

Survivor guilt can be like quicksand. Just let yourself float through it to safety.

There is nothing wrong in being glad that if it has to happen, it doesn't happen to you. That you still feel the loss and human tragedy, is obvious from your poem.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

12 posted 2003-10-27 09:44 AM

Amazing imagery..
Please stay safe!
Hugs~

~Time has cast a spell on you,
So you won't ever forget me~

Greeneyes

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-09-09

Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind

13 posted 2003-10-27 10:07 AM

Powerful images....i can not imagine the horror some go through....well said...and echoing all please be safe...
Lauren~

Will the wind ever remember the names
it has blown in the past with
its crutch its old age and its widsom
it whispers no this won't be the last

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

14 posted 2003-10-27 10:08 AM

I read this early this morning... and was at a loss for words... I don't think anyone at anytime has succeeded better at showing the personal of tragedy... it's not just statistics... those are lives destroyed we see on our screens.

Breath shortens:
I am breathing someone’s life;
his car, maybe his wife.
There are people missing in this,
and it’s far from done.
What right have I to inhale
his photo album, breathe the cat?

Your muse may have been napping more often lately than you'd like... but this compassionate, heartwrenching write is worth waiting for... Excellent!!!

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant

since 2000-06-17

Posts 5546
missouri

15 posted 2003-10-27 10:13 AM

Oh what a thought invoking write...never imagined a fire like this.

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

16 posted 2003-10-27 11:13 AM

Good God Ed . . .
no reason to be . . .
none at all
but I do understand
this aches . .
My Goodness
xxoo

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

17 posted 2003-10-27 03:27 PM

Yes, like Icebox said...survivor guilt can be terrible. Whether it's flood, tornado, hurricane, or fire...

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