Reposting this poem with a new graphic image created by a fellow Creative Circle freelancer. Wanted to feature it here since I also feature California poppies in this poem.
What if the match wasn’t lit the wire hadn't sparked the wind didn’t bellow the underbrush was cleared the water pressure held the insurance had renewed the fire planes flew and so many other "what ifs" rending hearts and minds the capacity to process polluted by the unrecognizable char inhaling fine particulates stinging eyes, burning throats crying out for people animals plants and dreams and even worse an albatross of weighted woe a loss more heavy than just missing things like photos, heirlooms, hand-knit sweaters poems, papers, cherished love letters everything in attics people postponed to sort family recipes, art on the walls money in the mattress as a last resort important papers no time to be found now scattered to the wind now settling down but it’s so much worse lives lost, memories dispersed... when just the other day we sat by the fire perched together at home after a day at the beach when the skies were so clear we could see the Hollywood sign up there, bright white and shining, high above the hills covered with golden grasses poppies the color of sunsets sage, olive, and emerald green trees leaves barely fluttering in the virgin breeze before things got worse and do you remember the pair of albatrosses they came out of nowhere alighting at the water's edge those birds are so rare such dichotomous omens of freedom, luck, burden and regret mating forever, symbols of love what if maybe it meant something more like a hint or a bet of things to come and overcome and that night we wrapped closer our arms around our knees grateful together before the fire wind howling in the trees
This poem is dedicated to everyone affected by the devastating fires all over LA this week. May better days ahead come soon.
Oh Ashley, My throat tightens and my eyes fill with tears just thinking of the unimaginable breath and depth of loss you so beautifully described.
Nancy Dahl, Santa Fe
Well done, Ashley. It is such a gift for those of us at a loss for words. Love to you and yours and everyone touched by this tragedy. XOXO