Summer Fires

A day which gave opportunity for personal introspection. We here in Oregon, Idaho, Washington watched this become a very serious summer for wild fires. I and my husband hiked Eagle Creek now burned.

Written,

August 9, 2017

 

 

This year, Canada fires kept raging a message of loss. 

Everything falls away eventually.

Alone, we answer to our own personal hurt.

  

Devastation is within and without.

Haze for days and days.

 As the saying goes; “Where there is smoke there’s fire.”

Even dreams are haunted.

Filtering down into my mind, I wash away ghosts.

This darkness must be put into submission. 

Flames try to mingle as I put them out.

The raging battle of heat’s damage is within.

 Flames of old dreams cast away.

Have I been untrue to myself; despising? 

Have I even been my own adversary?

Come now and ponder. Questions are good. 

Put away self doubt. Imprison all defeat and pain. 

These are the true enemy.

Lord God, King of compassion,

 you have given grace again.

I run to you for healing and strength.

Author's Note

Went Kayaking also and watched helicopters dipping water out of the lake where we were on it. the whole day in the mountain area was one of falling ash. I think that things are improoving now, finally! We need more rain.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a very fresh & original way to write about the curse of wildfires, which has been brutal in recent fire seasons. I lived just a few miles from a 3-month long wilderness fire in 2016 & I still feel it intensely, as you've described in your poem. I still remember when "Lost Valley" burned up -- a place where I made lifelong backpacking memories with various loved ones over my younger years. You've stated this in a way that reaches down deeper, to express how such a wildfire is a lasting entity in our lives, as we see the scars even years later. Brilliant! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Hi again Margie,
Found you again. You left this one two months ago. I feel terrible that I missed you as I try to not be neglectful. Life gets crazy sometimes but still...
Your experiences are so interesting. It is such fresh inspiration for your writing and giving of heart between your lines. I love to read stuff like that. Your above review just makes my heart twinkle. You are a ribbon of sun light across my motivation to feel that I can even have a voice to share with my pen. I would love to hear about some of your favorite backpacking memories. That is something which can be such a lovely area of commonality.
I hope you are enjoying your Spring. It must be glorious where you are!
Blessings,
Kathy

[barleygirl]

Kathy -- thanks for your encouragement to write about my backpacking memories. Being reminded of your poem here, unfortunately we are starting the fire season so early now (again) with huge swaths of our country burning up! *sheesh!* We are only getting our first warm spring days, supposedly starting tomorrow. I'm sitting by the woodfire right now, which never happens after February here on the central CA coast! Keep sprinkling your magic around to make people feel good! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Margie,
What to say? I'm just sitting here kind of stunned. I am bummed for you. Well, your live in a very dry place from what little I have gathered or remember from what I see in your writing and comments here. There is noting like living some where and knowing your own area....I look forward to hearing more about your wonderful life and your doggies and such. I will have to look up the news and see. I don't always pay regular attnetion to the news like some do. Bye for now
Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

Flaming hot 🔥 as you share the power of fire's devastation. You also go deeper into the self and what can befall it. Much needed uplifting message Kathy. We need the rain indeed.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Sami,
Yes for sure so much to dry out our souls-our lives. It's always alarming to be in a fire area. It blurs the vision with smoke cover. Creatures flee and die...sobering for sure. To find hope in this place is the goal. Here's hoping you walk into hopeful places and are refreshed. Glad I stayed home today as I have found poems missed in my writing and have responded..you are one I was so happy to find. Thanks for that!
Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

Same here. You are welcome Kathy.

[Einstein Noodle]

i like how you turn actual event into the metaphor within your poem ...the positive philosophy of life clearly put forth ..these lines especially speak to me
"Have I been untrue to myself; despising?
Have I even been my own adversary?"
it takes brutal honesty with the self introspection to take even the smallest of steps ...i like the head this poem came from ;)
E.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Dear Einstein Noodle,
The wild fires of this summer were off the charts! Nature was left to its own devices and so many could do nothing about it. This very reality spoke to me of the sobering reality of being in subservience to the pain of something which led to introspection. We people like to be in control right? So much of the time we are not and can only be open to growing and learning; which it actually so good!
summer is over now but the memory is still fresh in my mind.
Thank you so much for your affirming message to me as well. Just knowing that people get the message when we share something and empathize and understand is such a gift to my heart. It's nice how you have always encouraged and read and given your helpful and good input!
I'll say it again................THANK YOU!
Bless you as always.
Your writing friend,
Kathy

[Einstein Noodle]

we do suffer ...in so many ways...thank our Lord for expression ;) and feigning "control" we put ourselves at some of the greatest of risks of suffering consequences ..to be sure ... you might enjoy my poem "The Bilderberg Hotel" recently posted ..forgive the "plug"...but i think you might get a kick out of it .. your pages are always a delight to visit..that smile you have is enough in itself...always makes me smile too ...peace and joy and comfort ..

[emmajoy]

What happens around us - if we truly care, leaves its mark, Deposits the urge to think more, seek out peAce of mind by any means, and, for many the Lord's kind Hand. The mess of our world, so much of it made by Man, touches our spirits, dilutes without discretion.. Your words are so powerful.. so sincerely praying for what should be.. and, can be.

Prayers for thosE in California and those who know far too well, the hell of flames.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

emmajoy,
I really appreciate your well thought out review. Your made some good points. "What happens around us.." We are in the middle of so much. Some times it's a wonder to me the survival desire within the human soul!
Thanks again for reading and giving your great review! There is so much there to ponder.
Bless you dear poet friend.
Kathy

[emmajoy]

Have now corrected my typos, so sorry.. Your writing says so much, so beautifully.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

I sure must of missed your typo. I'm to busy seeing my own....Haha. Keep being the inspiration you are Emmajoy!

[emmajoy]

I often need to inspire self.. or shake moods out of me!!! We need to think positively more, it's so very hard at times, but, as just said to a friend, we either need swim and swim or sink...

Perhaps we need to teach the world to sing.. as the song goes. xx

[Duncan Brown]

Mother come.................................................................................................................................................................................................................was

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Hi Duncan, It is so good to see you here. Thanks for reading my stuff! I hope this early December finds you doing well. Yes the fires of this last summer were pretty difficult and harsh. Bless you in this Christmas season. Kathy
PS As always thank you for taking the time to read and review.

[An owl on the moon]

Just makes me ache in the deep smoke that covers the peace of so many when the fires rage. My mom and dad grew up in Oregon, and I still have most of my family there. Knew they said it was bad this year. And as in your words, there are fires that are always trying to burn over us; to consume us. May we find endless healing in the Lord. So powerful.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

An Owl on the Moon,
Your review is very accurate. Natural devastation and emotional devastation. The Lord is our help: "May we find endless healing in the Lord." I enjoyed your encouraging words.
Bless you and thanks for giving some of your time in reading.
Kathy

[Neville]

I am delighted that you have been able to capture this personal experience which must have consisted of moment upon moment of mixed and confused emotions and uncertainties but which you came through with strength anew, faith and dignity....N

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Veville Petitt,
Iv'e never desired rain as much as this last summer, the hottest I can remember. The heat and fires became so widespread. So much lost but at the same time I know that more growth will come. Nice to hear from you and it's nice to read your review.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Ted Kniffen]

This has been the year of wildfires. The latest in California is truly horrific. As Don McLean wrote 'fire is the Devil's only friend'. Fire is God's purifier and after the flames pass the earth once again puts forth new life. Good write, Kathy.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

So much more than any of us have seen, your so right! I guess that all we can do is just move forward and hope for healing of the people affected. Thanks so very much for reading and lending your own feelings to the mix. I remember the song by Don Mclean. Good comment too. Bless you much Ted.
Kathy

[.]

Internal reflections mused over in the face of witnessing the violent destruction of nature.

No matter what one bears witness to, the human mind is extremely adept at seeking greater truth; always taking the image of the eye and searching for deeper clarity in the recesses of the mind.

Having seen the hellish destruction of forests from fire, you have searched within yourself for a meaning behind its occurence. Sometimes, a flame is just that....a flame. And no deeper thought is required. Just a sad introspection at the loss of natural beauty. But as we know, in time, that beauty will be reborn. And magnified in its brilliance.

Your write is both philosophical and hopeful in tone. And as always, written in a very eloquent style; straight from the soul of nature's warrior.

A wonderful piece of work, as always.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Doodley,
It's been a lovely experience to relate with others in writing and thought here on this site. Reading and reflecting is so good for all of us I think.
You have given your own personal thoughts and, oh I do enjoy and appreciate your input so much!
Thanks for reading and your honest and encouraging words.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The wildfires have been raging across the continent this year...hurricanes, floods and some of the worst electrical storms I've ever seen. I enjoyed your poem.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Fabian Franklin,
It is like the earth is reeling and groaning in pain. Thank you sir for giving me your feedback.