From one coast to the other
and if there were trees in the Arctic
it’d be burning there too

Fort McMurray in 2016
sparking the largest evacuation
in Albertan history
two years later
most of Lytton BC burned to the ground
still being rebuilt

Under a surreal red sun
smoke spreads south
to Edmonton and Calgary
east to Saskatchewan
with its own flames to contend
and no matter where this country burns
too many First Nations
caught in the path
evacuated to hotels...community centres
safer ground for now

In the wake of hurricane Fiona
Maritimes trying to rebuild
a suburb north of Halifax on fire
finally contained
among other locales
to the south and west
thousands more
homes businesses destroyed
residents displaced

Caught in-between
Quebec overwhelmed
with over 150 of them
and Ontario
despite “No Burn” orders
tinder dry
praying for rain
though lightning has a mind of its own
120 out of control reported
one not that far away

Recalled the great city fires of history
Paris...London...Rome...
with wildfire in the Calabogie region
only two hours from the capital
smoke/health advisory already in effect
this Ottawan wonders...worries
how long will it be
before he too must pack a bag?

© 2023

280 hits as of January 2024

06/05/2023

Posted on 06/05/2023
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti