Too Many Wildfires

When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Wind shifted overnight

no onshore breeze

pushes marine air

across Portland

tempering

summer's heat;

instead

air storms in

from the north and east,

wildfire-filled zones

air thick with smoke,

thick enough

my nose samples

memories

of backyard burning,

smoky haze so dense

particles are visible

floating in the heavy air

hanging at ground-level.

Eyes struggle, tears form,

lungs cloud with congestion,

heart fills with sorrow

for the losses

of forestland,

animals, too many

houses, ranches, lives.

And the sun lingers

in a cloudless sky,

fire-smoke red-orange

all day long.

by judy Beaston

August 22, 2015