Wildfire in the Desert
Smoke rises and curls
And with a boney finger
Touches outer space
Weaving fine strands of gray
Into a blanket soft and warm
Cover the valley
Chokes the breath
From young and old
Landscape hidden in thick cloud
Hangs in the air
Whispers secrets that are burning
Not so very far away
Woodland critters
Cannot get away
Trees can’t run
They see it coming
Still they stand
As if the fire won’t burn
Their branches
And all that rest there
Hot breath of the demon
Known as fire
Red and yellow
Hot as hell
Do the devil’s work
Burn the desert
Ring the bells
Scar the landscape
Smoke tumbles into the valley
Pray for rain
To quench the fire
annellannell 
I love the opening lines before you become specific to the fire and its destruction. Also the association of the fire with demons and Hell. I can smell the brimstone.
margo
Annell, you have written some strong images of the fire and how it consumes.
Pamela
Annell, how horrible this must be. Your words and pictures captured this tragedy strongly!
wow….great words and photos…i can see a painting here….Fire….we live in the mountains…in the forrest…..so we know how fires can take over…..thanks for sharing Ann
Isn’t it strange that something so destructive stills holds a kind of beauty, and certainly a power to be reckoned with. Your photos and words tell a story of destruction that is devastating. And both capture that power.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/
new mexico is my home away from and this tears at my heart–I won’t be there this summer and am thinking how frightened I am for this beautiful place and all of the wonderful people I know who might have to leave their homes..beautiful and frightening photos–my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours..c
i hope that you are ok…was reading a bit about them this morning…the fire itself has allure and even in its passing brings life but also death…
I think I have seen worst, smoke. But the mountains were lost to me this morning. Last night the sky was incredible, so beautiful, and this morning the sun rise was without equal. It is just that in the desert, everything is so “on the edge,” already. It is austere, it is like love. And the scars will last a life time. Thanks Brian, for your kindness. Annell Livingston HC 74 Box 21860 El Prado, NM 87529
annell@taosnet.com http://www.annelllivingston.com http://www.somethingsithinkabout-annell-annell.blogspot.com https://annellannell.wordpress.com