We are among the lucky. Thus far we have only lost power and internet service. There is a fire a few miles away but it seems to be holding. My heart goes out to those who have lost everything and the 500,00 who have had to undergo the stress of evacuations.
As Oregon Burns
A dry wind howls from the east
We extinguish the candles
and do not sleep
As Oregon burns
A black cloud draws across the sky like a flat curtain
Led by the dark horses of the apocalypse
As Oregon burns
Smoke tumbles down the mountains
Leaving a fine layer of ash on the vegetables in my garden
As Oregon burns
Some evacuate
Some lose their homes
Some lose their towns
Some lose their lives
As Oregon burns
I gathered our things and place them by the door
Lest we be next
As Oregon burns
I mourn the loss
of sacred places
The innocence of summer
To forces beyond our control
As Oregon burns
Don’t tell me you don’t think climate change is real
By Alanna Pass 
So sad. Stay safe.
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Thank you for your thoughts. We’ve been hunkering down at home because of the heavy smoke- a good time to write.
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Stay safe.
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Thanks Louise. Good to hear from you!
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This makes me sooo sad. Same thing is happening in Colorado, but we had a reprieve with some snow for a couple of days. Btw, I will be moving up there in a couple of years. I bought a home in Bend. Sending good vibes that way 💕💕
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Thanks for your thoughts Pam and I’m so thrilled that you will be my “neighbor” eventually!
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Sorry to hear the fires are so close to you. Your poem about the fires is wonderful and emotional. The winds have blown more smoke our way and our air quality is in the “hazardous” category. Scary times.
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It’s such a nightmare. I wanted to wake up and find this was all a bad dream but alas we are living it. I’m thankful that it hasn’t come your way!
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I found it! Yes, what do we do now? To live on the edge of this while being surrounded by ignorance & apathy… We feel your heartache…
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Cathy,
Thanks for reading and commenting. I wonder about the “What we can do?” on a daily basis. These fires have spurred me on to new levels. Even though I try to set an example with my personal habits, in the big picture Climate Change is a political issue. Vote green right down to the local level. Donate to campaigns and to pro environmental lobbies such as my favorite , the National Resources Defence Council (NRDC). They have have defeated 90% of Trumps anti-environment shenanagins in court. Read Jane Fondas new book “What Can I Do”? I reviewed it (sort of) on my sustainbility blog here https://onesweetearth.art.blog/2020/09/11/what-can-i-do/. I am an email acitvist on several environmental websites including NRDC and Oregon Wild. Write letters- there is power in the pen. I just signed up at 350.org an organization decicated to fighting climate change. the more individuals take action, the more we can facilitate change. It’s so much better than feeling helpless. Look at Greta Thunberg! One person can have such great power.
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Climate change is so real. I am sorry you are in the midst of this out there. We have been so concerned about our daughter and everyone else near the wildfires and smoke.
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Thanks for your thoughts Cathy. I can’t tell you how depressing it is to be housebound from all the smoke let alone Covid! We’re just getting through this day by day and hoping for brighter days to come
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