the sun dimmed almost gone
as an eerie silence enveloped
it felt ominous like a fast
approaching storm
silence
darkness
then the most horrendous roar
as an Everest of fire bore down
bore down upon us
dwarfed and terrified
by nature’s anger
run now
d’Verse, roar 44 words, De Jackson – pic courtesy of nytimes.com
a tribute to all those brave volunteer firefighters and ordinary folk who have fought for their lives over the last few months … 20 lives lost, more than 2,000 homes, plus businesses, wildlife and livestock … recovery will take years and we are only mid fire season now …
aroused 
May Allah protect all the suffering souls. Āmīn
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thanks!
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My thoughts are with you. It must feel like a nightmare that you cannot wake up from.
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Thoughts and prayers, Kate. Naturally. I add my supplications to everyone else’s.
Your words and your picture convey the terror’s unimaginable vastness. Seeing the kangaroo in the foreground made me appreciate how horrific all this must be for animals, who have no idea why this is happening.
Then again, are we much different? Some things are just beyond comprehension.
You’ll need all sorts of help and, perhaps now, you’re getting it. May it be torrential.
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sadly already in one local area there has been a major fish kill when the fire ash ran into the river ..
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There is a place in the State of Pennsylvania “The Centralia mine fire is a coal-seam fire that has been burning underneath the borough of Centralia, Pennsylvania, United States, since at least May 27, 1962. … The fire caused most of the town to be abandoned.” I can only imagine that most of your beloved country is in a similar situation… with all that has been destroyed. I can only pray along with others that you can however slowly rebuild…
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nature replenishes quite swiftly, takes about two years as our bush needs to regenerate regularly. Homes will happen but the emotional trauma remains deeply etched, most never really recover. Thanks Jules
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I hope there will be relief soon. Peace be with Australia!
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Your poem speaks of a great deal of misfortune. Do you know that you first informed me about fires. It was not until the end of December that the press was informed. And instead of preventing the misfortunes that occur around the globe, the world talks about preparing for war. Yes, few woes?
Regards
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fire, destruction and sadness seems to be enveloping the earth. Volcano eruptions and earthquake in Philippines is keeping us anxious for family and friends there. We experience the haze from Indonesian fires every year and have learnt to live with so much air pollution it is ridiculous. praying for Australia everyday
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the countryside bounces back in about two years … our bush is meant to be burnt regularly! In fact it thrives on it
… just that people built in it and protest when our firefighters burn off to avoid these disasters. So they can’t win. I enjoy walking in and exploring our bush but nobody but wildlife should live in it!
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the same happens in Indonesia, but we suffer the consequences due to the wind pattern, no one’s fault really, just the way nature behaves.
i understand the need to burn and re-row. it does not help when you have to encounter over zealous uninformed but just wanting to protest a point.
i am now better informed by your explanation – thanks Kate
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I hope you will see some relief soon.. I read that rain is on its way.
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This is an outstanding poem… I only wish it were not true! Our hearts and prayers are with you there.
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The pictures and stories continue on the news and on the internet to the horror of my heart. I am praying that the US will send some help but I fear that our current administration is fixated on starting fires instead of putting them out. All of Australia is in my prayers.
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Harrowing, yes that horrendous roar, the terror of destruction.
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Oh the horrors and trauma caused! Once the fires stop raging, it will indeed be a long road to recovery. My prayers…
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Beautifully written poem of a tragic situation, Kate. I hope the rains stay and drench the fires.
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I agree with Ali, I wish it was fiction not fact. So many miles away, I can’t imagine what it’s like in Australia at the moment, All I know is that a dear friend of mine who moved there in the eighties is not contactable. Her town was evacuated, I haven’t heard from her since before Christmas, and all my emails have been undelivered. I fear eerie silences.
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just wait Kim, people have little access to wifi and are often in too deep a shock to say much … they withdraw for sometime before they feel ok to say anything, then they don’t know what to say … maybe just send one more email saying “I understand, just send ‘ok’ so I know you’re still here?” But don’t ask any more, that’s the best support. If you’ve lost home and neighbourhood what can you say …
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one guy I know his home was saved but everything around it incinerated … he is still in deep shock. Still afraid to leave his house in case a spark ignites it. We can’t imagine the terror … he still can’t speak about it. So patience is key but they need to know you are there when eventually they can offload.
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An apt tribute, SweetKate. And you’ve captured the horror of it all. And you’ve stirred the emotions of everyone who cares.
All have been on my mind, in my prayers, and in my heart.
(((HUGS)))
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Oh Kate! This piece definitely brings the weight and horror of what Australia is experiencing with these fires to the forefront.
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only repeating the survivors stories Irma, I can’t imagine the terror … they refer to it as a monster bearing down on them to personally attack them and their livelihood …
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I wish this was a fictional horror story instead of the news of the week.
I am so sad for Australia.
These lines are so powerful, ”
as an Everest of fire bore down
bore down upon us
dwarfed and terrified
by nature’s anger”
Take care.
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sorry Ali, it’s etched into our psyche just now … and this is how survivors are describing it … can’t imagine the trauma!
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I can’t either. I do think it is important to discuss this as a part of what’s happening in the world. Sometimes poems are the perfect way to do this. Take good care.
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Overwhelming, Kate. Your poem is so vivid.
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Oh so d! I am devastated for everyone in Australia. Its such a tragedy. xoxo
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Such a traumatic thing to happen…how is it so far kate? Cos i dont think i can even rely on news agencies lately…
P.S
One of the active volcanoes back home erupted after 48 years. Evacuations have been made affected areas are in panic mode. Ashfalls have reached the mainland Manila and classes and works have been suspended. What was funny though is how businesmen capitalize on the agony of others by selling ang over the top priced face mask.
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greed … they should be giving them away!
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A fitting tribute, indeed. Your country has been on my heart for weeks. Praying for rain, and restoration.
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Praying the flames are extinguished soon and that recovery comes sooner than expected.
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I like your description of the silence before the roar of the fire. Best wishes.
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Yes dear, the fires are certainly horrendous and huge,….. I’ve lived in Geelong for 68 years, and I have never seen this much smoke around like this before, even when we’ve had our neighbouring Otway Ranges and Brisbane Ranges on fire !!…. And to think the fires are 400 km away…….It’s all beyond what we’ve experience before …… Take care up there Cake… and be safe…. xxx
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no fires anywhere near me thanks Ivor. Take care with your breathing they say this smoke will come around again, carried by the wind … how can it all possibly dissipate …
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❤ ❤ ❤ You have my prayers.
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