Terrible Beauty

Terrible Beauty

Through eyes filled with sleep I glance up and see the massive column of smoke continuing to boil off the mountain. After more than a week of 16-hour days my body speaks to me via aches and pains. “Slow down, you can only take so much” Yet I know that homes, sacred sites, and possibly lives are at stake.

As the fire continues to consume acres we make plans to contain the monster, deprive it of its food by removing the fuel in its path. Each of us praying for the coming monsoon rains to begin soon. When engaged in resisting a force of nature it is clear that our efforts face only possible success.

Sleep comes again, sequestered in my hot tent, the smell of smoke my only constant companion I dream of the flames and their terrible beauty.