It arrived without warning…
Fire blazing through our lovely forest, destroying all in its path,
Threatening homes built with Hope after the war–
Lifetimes of precious memories–lovingly cherished–could easily be consumed,
Never to return.
Our small village fire brigade immediately sprang into action,
Soon to be joined by the Army, and professional firefighters from Big Cities nearby.
Our narrow streets filled with trucks, vans, autos, motorbikes;
Helicopters flew overhead, refilling enormous water tanks,
Flying them to the heart of the fire to release their load on flames that stubbornly refused to yield.
Still, the fire burned–Growing…Spreading…Consuming all in its path.
Only until villagers themselves poured out–farmers with tractors,
Construction workers with backhoes,
Anyone who could do the least to dig, to cover, to form trenches
Was the fire tamed and eventually put to rest.
Newspaper reports praised these efforts
Crediting the villagers themselves with stopping the blaze,
Ensuring the survival of all our homes.
Our tiny community, protecting one another, dedicated in service
For the dawn of a new day.