Jack Poem by Bella Magik

Jack said that from a distance, the mountains looked like they were red
and the glow from the fire danced for all
off on the far horizon there was unrelenting havoc
as the men who risked their lives watched another gumtree fall

No faster could the wildlife run to flee this fiery blaze
when the wind would take a hold and turn it back on them
countless years of nature, wiped out in merely seconds
if ever there was any, this was the greatest sin

Jack said that it was smokey as he saddled up his horse
the fresh country air did not fill his lungs that day
and as he left to join the volunteers, defending this great land
the only thing his wife could do, was sit and wait and pray

His daughter hid her tiny face within her mothers skirt
she stood like statue, staring at his form
as he rode away, she wondered, would she see him again
and how would she make it through the night to see the dawn

Jack said he'd never rode a horse, so fast in his whole life
he'd heard the crackling of the burning bush before he'd even saw them
they suddenly he pulled up short, beside so many other men
and their shoulders slumped in unison as they took in the sight before them

the sky above them stretched just like a deep and endless ocean
not a cloud in sight to stir up any hope
the flames had them outnumbered, the odds were far from good
but they were betting men, and they bet they could cope

All at once the shouting started, get the water, get the sand
if ever there's a chance, we have to take it now
we can't fight this fire, on our spirit alone
but we will find it in us and save this land somehow

their blackened faces dripped the sweat that told of the tale
how the men and stood and fought for almost 3 straight days
they did not stop to eat, nor drink, only to wipe their eyes
as they mourned the loss of all taken by the blaze

It was in the breeze of early morning before the first ray peaked
that the last fo the men finally turned to head for home
jack saddled up his horse, hope within his heart
that the fearsome beast of fire had left his farm alone

Jack said that he stood still for one whole hour just to see
everything that he had built was now a burnt out shell
he screamed for his girls and there was no reply
he looked to the heavens and sobbing to his knees he fell

His hands tore through the ashes, searching frantically
he'd already seen the horses lying by the barn
in the early morning hours, dew wet on the scorched grass
he didn't know if his family were laying somewhere on the farm

Jack said that his heart broke that day as he wept into the ash
the pain was like the fire he'd fought desperately to beat
and a miracle was needed, right at this very moment
for jack was now a broken man, submitting to defeat

Gun in hand he felt a soft touch on his shoulder and
tears fell down his rugged face when he realised,
that his girls were standing there and he raised his fists in glory
heaven was but in his arms, not off in distant skies.