by Linda Sorcie Smith

Created on: April 25, 2008

Rain and Fire

Sweet earth smell, damp fulfillment
Gentle pit pats of falling rain
Amidst soft cries from rainbow birds
And private chitterings from
Secretive monkeys. Cool rain rivulets
Track down my arms and
Upturned face, a gift from the sky.
I feel the magic, endless treasure
Hidden in the green moss,
Part of the verdant leaves,
Ensconced in the rich earth.

From the distance, the raw bite
Of dampened fire sears my nose
My eyes widen with the monkeys'
We know it comes

Somewhere near, nightmare flames
Leap and lick and soar
And consume the living wonder of
Treetop homes, healing herbs,
Creatures too small to flee.
Birds screech their raucous protests
All in vain. Underbrush crashes,
A sea of terror in flight.
In the end, the fire monster claims all,
Burning a clear path for
The ultimate predator

The monkeys and I weep

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