Wind and Fire

Last night the East Wind     tore into town
a river of hot air     stinking of smoke
sucking wildfires     along in its wake.
Transformers popped      tree-limbs went down,

clouds of dust     leaves dead and living
went swirling westward     on the furnace blast.
In hot gusty dark     the city held fast
Morning would bring     weather more forgiving.

Today our students     struggle with devices.
Power is down     broadband is poky
wind still high     air hot and smoky.
Climate change brings     crisis upon crisis

streets cluttered with     arboreal debris
while families flee homes,     fire evacuees.

Books Available
Country Well-Known as an Old Nightmare's Stable
High-Voltage Lines
Knocking from Inside