Biblical Fires Poem by Mark Heathcote

Fire comes leapfrogging, house to house
tree to tree in-every-direction
burning wild and free, it can't be doused
fire-fighters hearts and lungs leaden,
have a mammoth task; most volunteers
valiantly fight with little protection,
shedding tears, dampening down real fears
every flame, a burning reflection;

What is lost, what's been consumed?
Their inflections, words change with the wind
are we winning many souls marooned?
Some thirty souls sent to death-baptized
others, singed-seeds that barely survived
will go on growing with hope eternal;
no smoke can leave them anesthetized.
Hearts go on living, green, and vernal.

No secret out of adversity,
we discover leaders and heroes
people that can momentarily,
build bridges and open new windows
simply-put even on arid land
a little rain must at some point fall
yes, a catastrophe we can withstand:
despair-be buried we're not sepulchral.

Just ask just-just-just ask the Lord
we're not defeated put to the sword
'listen, wailings in an empty gourd
don't scare those who are always-implored.
Must do better in the name of the Lord
just ask just-just-just ask the Lord
we're not defeated put to the sword
no fiery serpent can defeat us, sweet Lord.'