Fire

Fire frightens me
It hasn’t always
I used to marvel at its beauty
Its energy
Its dance and its sparkle

But now, fire means violence
Death
Destruction
Its dance, a terrible choreography
Eating everything in its path without discernment

Now, fire means loss of life
Loss of home
Loss of security
Loss of purpose

Now, fire means smoke
Unbreathable air that can cause cancer
Stinging eyes
Masks
Coughs

Now, fire means despair
Devastation
Massive damage
Unfathomable repair
That takes forever
​
Fire also means heroes
Who give their strength, their time, their dedication
To secure lives, homes, families
Selflessly
I am thankful
 
I’m lucky
Fire didn’t eat my home
My neighborhood
My loved ones
But it frightens me