Poem: Grilled Oak, Blackened Earth, a Healthy Serving of Community

When the hot, fast fire snarled through,
it left many trees hanging unsteady
What kindness the buzzing sound of chainsaws became
with few other sounds around

When green shoots and flowers pushed through
We started to dream of bees and butterflies
We sensed we would be alright
We hoped again, if cautiously

We are no longer masked and tired,
sifting the charred pieces of our days
Time seemed as halted then
as a scorched antique watch collection

Since our memories were blackened,
salted heavily with ashes,
please continue to pass the hugs around
Pass tissues, pass napkins for tears
We have hearts where our eyes used to be

When there was nothing to meet fears of the future with
but loads of donated everything, we were the ballet of humanity:
People kept rising to be there
People kept rising to receive care

We are changed. We break bread, drink wine, cry, try and smile
We’ll walk the miles in each other’s shoes
and toast the simple joys—
100 proof—
We’ll make it through