Wildfire

by Liz   Nov 9, 2014


I had a family once.

Only a child
as I watched them all perish
by the hands of one single being.

The man with many faces.

For years I watched him
enter our home and
slowly cause destruction.

He said he loved my brothers and sisters,
that we gave him life.

All the while he slowly took life away from us.

I remember that infernal day.
The hair of my sisters became
tinged with burning fear,
and my brothers' strong arms
were weakened into frail,
brittle bones.

Petrified. Their feet rooted to the ground,
they could not run.
Their tears
evaporated into furious, grey clouds.

That man never cared at all.

Today I stand here, still.
Scarred and surrounded
by the skeletons and ashes
of my brothers and sisters.
In the home where I grew
with my family
before they were carelessly
massacred.

6


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Latest Comments

  • 8 years ago

    by Baby Rainbow

    This poem really touches on the sad truth of nature, and how many humans continue to treat it with such disrespect, and uncaring. I think the personification in this poem is truly outstanding, really making that tree so real, it could probably be read and taken as a humans view of a bad upbringing too. The title was so strong and really drew that poem to pinpoint such a disaster that happens more and more these days, and also to highlight the ending of the poem with the word "massacre" what a really powerful image to end on. A really fantastic poem, really creative blend of sadness, truth and nature.

  • 9 years ago

    by BlueJay

    Judging Comment:

    I was crying as I read this piece, simply for the beauty and perfection of the write. It not only leaves an impact of the world and how delicate it really is but it leaves the reader contemplating many things as well. The way that this message was relayed to the audience is fantastic, there is an undeniable sense of emotion that shows up in this and a marvelous use of imagery helps make the point even more impacting.

  • 9 years ago

    by Naughtymouse

    I really like nature poetry, I have ready many poems on this subject and genuinly, this is awesome! especially how you control the readers tempo by the way you layed out the piece. I love how you personalised this, to family, brothers & sisters, very provoking and emotional.

    Really enjoyed it :)

  • 9 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    I had a family once.

    Only a child
    as I watched them all perish
    by the hands of one single being.

    ^^Honestly, as I read this all I could see is a lonely pained child in a midst of war as she sees her family die...a touching open to your poem.

    The man with many faces.

    For years I watched him
    enter our home and
    slowly cause destruction.

    ^^Here too again its reality isn't it. Whether humans or tree, we give room for a trusting person until one day when its too late...we find he is not so trusting!

    I remember that infernal day.
    The hair of my sisters became
    tinged with burning fear,
    and my brothers' strong arms
    were weakened into frail,
    brittle bones.

    ^^Out of the whole poem this one really stood out for me for it portrays the cruelty of man as he leaves a devastating result behind. The images are so vivid here!

    Petrified. Their feet rooted to the ground,
    they could not run.
    Their tears
    evaporated into furious, grey clouds.

    ^^Helpless that is how it was. That is how it is when in a war torn country a child stands helpless and devastated to see his/her family perish..a heart wrenching picture here.

    This reality poem can and is applied not only to nature but also to humans. Man causes destruction to nature and its the same man causing destruction to other humans.

    A well written poem which holds all the evils and emotions of life. Congrats on the win!

  • 9 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    Hands down one of the TOP Nature poems on this site to date.
    Just a well written and out of this world poetry piece by Poetess this week!
    I was blown away... just beautiful.

    She captures the message of wildfires, killing her family and tying in trees as family
    Leaving me crying. I could smell the ashes and burning, rushing out of control.

    Her word usage was amazing and the metaphors were so well done, just an amazing
    Poem!
    You can even go deeper with this poem.. the loss of loved ones by natures hands.. I can't express how sorrowful, and elegance go hand in hand here. Powerful poem by Poetess !!

    • 9 years ago

      by Liz

      Thank you, sunny. That means a lot <3

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