Half Mast!

I wrote this eighteen months ago, at a time we faced horrendous fire condition. I wrote it of the loss of three American airmen.

Australian soil where fires rage,

in defence of our country’s plight,

bringing knowledge, helping

  in country’s fiery fight,

in a spirit of co-operation in

  aerial bombing operations.

They’d been here since

  November’s heat,

such a long and tireless streak.

 

But news comes of wreckage strewn

  in the early afternoon,

crashing on a rocky mountaintop

skimming each scorched treetop.

Prayers for their families in our hearts,

thoughts of our American counterparts.

 

Today Australian flags half mast,

remembering three lives past, but

  also the many we lost,

with hearts breaking we count the cost.

Across our hearts a shadow cast,

such devastation so hard to grasp

  for those we in sadness mourn,

as we to see another dawn.

 

I love my country, its searing wildness,

running streams in forest calmness, but

I write this poem with heavy heart,

all because of lightning or

  a careless spark.

I write in tribute to those who lived,

for their light they had to give.

 

May you all rest in God’s loving care!

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a great message! I can't remember any fatalities of "borrowed" firefighters here, but since California is as bad as Australia, being fire-prone, we often get loans from Canada, Mexico, plus many other western states when they also have wildfires of their own to fight. It's an amazing community, these firefighters, the way they devote themselves to each other & the cause. Your tribute is well-stated! (((HUGS)))

[Richard M]

Thank you Margie for reading. I remember this tragedy so well and the hellish fires we were having at the time. This really affected me deeply. ((HUGS BACK)))

[KeithMansfield]

They're brave and valiant efforts will never be in vain as long as we remember. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Richard M]

Thank you Keith for reading and your comments. The summer of 2019/2020 was just horrific. We must remember on many fronts.