Australian Summer

Australia's horrific months are January and February
Where heat and humidity build to a crescendo
Stifling heat, ferocious fires...you have to be wary
Stifling heat, just praying for a cool breeze to blow

A man using a grinder on his farm
It takes one stray spark to hit the dry grass
Unintentionally this man's about to cause great harm
Today is 'catastrophic' fire danger...what a jackass!

His attempts to extinguish the flame are futile
Dry grass, perfect fuel for the fire
He frantically taps in 000 on his mobile
As minutes tick by the situation becomes dire

Flashes of red fire truck through the trees in the distance
Whaling of sirens steadily growing louder
Fire fighters are brave...their own downfall, hesitance
Big black boots scuff their way through ashy powder

Huge nozzles concentrate water to the flame
As the 'thud-thud-thud' of chopper blades appear overhead
Our fire fighter in the sky - Elvis is its name
There to lend a hand, put this fire to bed

But the RFS don't stand a chance
The fire's hellish fury is at full force
I'm cocooned in the fire truck watching fire sprites dance
Knowing I'm dead if the wind changes course

Breathing normal is impossible through the thick, smoky veil
The sky outside glowing an ominous red
A kangaroo skips by with singed fur and tail
Trying to outrun the flames, trying to get ahead

In seconds the trucks are filled with firemen once more
Wide eyes staring out of sooty smudged faces
There are some tears, utter horror, emotions are raw
The fire doesn't care; it gathers power and on it races

Radio broadcast "fire threat, life and property in danger"
The trucks and its soldiers fly into action
Knowing loss of life will be a game changer
Their adrenalin is pumping...it's a strange attraction

It takes 10 minutes to reach the destination
A house is burning, flames 100 feet in the air
Nothing they can do, it's a no-win situation
Priority; move civilians to safety somewhere

The road back to town is terrifying
Downed power lines literally electrifying
Fallen trees blocking the way are hampering
The road back to town...horrifying

On the far side of town crews had begun back burning
Eliminating the approaching monsters' fuel
Thoughts of failure not worth contemplating
7000 hectares razed, a twist of fate so cruel

Fire fighters efforts bring success eventually
Fire still burning but finally contained
Wildlife and habitat decimated completely
Life will go on; this rule of nature is ingrained

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©Juanita Torr