There was a flash and then a flood

of flames that flared through lion’s

maw.

​

Winds

carried ash

and soot and

oh God, was that a body

down the slope into our streets.

Breathe. Just a tree. Next time, me?

​

How we can live by

water and die by fire is

the tragedy of tomorrow.

 

Access points cut off

like rations during war,

thirty second showers

signal self-indulgence.

Wildfires are not so wild

as they seem, are they?

​

Day Zero is approaching

and all we can hope for

is a storm. Anything to fill

our drying cups. Anything.

​

Washing hands with saltwater

and praying it be clean.

 

We will drive further and

further down the road,

until the reservoirs have

sunk into the earth.

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