California Firefighters: In memoriam

They read their names in fire. They write in ash.
They sleep on dirt and wake to rolling smoke
while forests burn and helicopters crash.
They breathe and work where others cough and choke.

They sleep on dirt and wake to rolling smoke,
to racing towers of tornado-flame,
to breath that works where others cough and choke.
They whisper every fallen comrade’s name.

The racing towers of tornado-flame
drink air and leave unbreathable exhaust.
They whisper every fallen comrade’s name.
They see the price, but never count the cost.

Drink air, and leave unbreathable exhaust
while forests burn and helicopters crash.
They pay the price, and we must count the cost.
Read their names in fire. Write them in ash.


Andrew Brake
Matthew Burchett
Brian Hughes
Cory Iverson
Don Ray Smith
Jeremy Stoke
Braden Varney

Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside