A single firey spark descends

Upon a blade of grass.

Firefighters rush to attend

Our dear orchard on fire, alas!

Squirrels scurry away

From the rapidly spreading flame -

No place to go, they wander astray...

This is no fire drill or game.

Heat wall hits the peaceful bird

Something must be wrong;

Alarm rising they spread the word:

We have to run along!

Crackling, sizzling, blazing hot

It's too late, all lost now.

The orchard was dear, we've lost a lot

And I often wonder how?

But the lively trees we will not forget -

One day they will grow back up the glen,

My fortune I can bet!

And we will eat luscious apples again.

• • • • •

• Date written: May 18, 2017 • Word Count: 117 • Line Count: 16 • Stanza Count: 5 •