Sunday, January 14, 2024

Stay safe, little house

 

Stay safe, little house

Stay safe, little house.
You are the home I built
where I've lived 40 years.
You raised 3 children,
5 generations of dogs
amid a redwood forest.
I hope to die here,
but not in a wildfire.
I'm out tonight
along with thousands,
friends and neighbors
evacuated, watching the news
with hearts breaking.
I pray for them.
And you, little house.
Stay safe.

……

On August 19, 2020 I had to flee an oncoming wildfire, my beloved redwoods aflame. That same evening as smoke billowed from the mountain, I wrote this poem from the safety of my daughter’s house surrounded by amazing grandchildren. Stay safe,  dear reader.

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