Wild fire blaze 

On Labor Day, 2006, a wildfire ignited in Ventura County, California. For nearly four weeks the fire raged consuming more than 200 square miles of national forest encroaching on the town of Ojai, CA. Fueled by Santa Ana winds, hundreds of people were evacuated, and tens of thousands of gallons of Monsanto fire retardant were air dropped.

 
for Raven..... 
 
 
wild fire blaze 
red hot crash 
and silent trees scream 
 
in this season of heat 
where water is no match 
we flee 
 
harried hands grabbing 
bits of fluff 
gray winds blowing 
flakes like snow 
 
gas guzzling phone cards 
convenient store purchases 
eating money 
 
red cross salvation 
crucifies with lack 
 
beaches and boardwalks 
fisherman’s wharf 
feasting on hope and too little sleep 
 
while Monsanto retards 
a safe return 
 
kathy fitzpatrick 
9/06