Here are images of the the fire that chased us from our beds and our houses at 4:30 in the morning. Frightening, but all’s well that ends well.

fighting the blaze – as seen from next-door neighbors ~ Photos – J. Ellis

Fire flies along the ground leaping toward the sky
Reflecting my psyche, stabbing fear into my eye
Grab what you need and get out, is what he said
That fear, the flames wrapped around my head

Snatched a flashlight, a book, what was I thinking
My wife, the cat my only focus, my heart sinking
In my pajamas, pacing back and forth, neighbors
Similarly clad, chatter, tremble at the loss of labors

Bravery is evident and kindness comes to the fore
Yet real information thin as a stiletto’s blade, more
See sparks and embers in spotlighted smoke glow
They drift down onto our rooftops like fiery snow

Yet the wind holds steady, pushes the blaze away
Though it threatens others, but, please, do not stay
As dawn awakens, flames, sparks and embers die
We’ve dodged the bullet once more, with no why