Sifted Away

welcome to SE Okla where it's fire season

Gentle ripples of haze settle on the valley floor, concealing the silhouette of over-lapping ridges.  The tail of the dragon drifts slowly upward as it struggles against the breeze. The earthy char of cinders lets any and all know that fire is on its way.

The breath of the dragon is blazing upon the face of the land. Birds of the air are on stand-by as creatures great and small take to foot. Only man faces the flames, sitting back burns on the ridge, and pushing brush from its path.

He plays a game of chess, the wind and the beast play as one, but with puffy eyes and skin of ash coupled with a stubborn streak man sets his plan to action. He knows what the fire does not. The jet stream is soon to shift, and it will push the wind back to the south from whence the fire came. Until then patience of mind will be matched by sweat of toil, and the dead of winter will be sifted away.

Author's Note

just trying to keep busy while mother sleeps and waiting for our radation treament, Oh and yes we have fire on the ridge back home on the ranch

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I experienced wildfires in California several years ago, so the scene you describe is not unknown to me. We got rain last night and much cooler temperatures today, so hopefully some of that will find its way to your locale.
My oldest sister is going through those treatments, too. (Lung cancer after 50 years of smoking)

[Antonio Valentino]

Oh gosh, be careful Cherrie, and hope all goes well with mom's therapy.

Loved the poem, you should try and keep busy more often :))
Antonio