autumnal orange light floods the parking lot
while soft snowflakes fall
even though these aren’t snowflakes
even though the greasy stink of smoke gives it away
hills burn
and wind pushes ash toward the sea
i hope the sunset–at least–
will be beautiful
——
Words and Feathers 
My hometown is up in flames… It’s just horrific. 😢
Are you from Northern California?
Yes, I’m from Sonoma County — my hometown, Rohnert Park (my mom and step dad still live in the house I grew up in) is just south of Santa Rosa, which has been one of the hardest hit spots.
Are you anywhere near there? For some reason, I thought you were from Southern California.
Also, last month, we had ash raining on us in Portland, OR, from the Columbia Gorge fires. Crazy Times!
I hope your folks stay safe.
I am in Southern California. We have some fires burning here in Orange County. My home is nowhere near it, but the skies looked hellish where I work. It’s pretty horrible all around.
Had the ash falling on me during August in Washington.
Wildfires. Terrifying, maybe especially at sunset.
Oh, I heard about the fires on the way to work this morning. it sounds terrible. This is a strong response. I hope you and your loved ones stay safe.
Indeed it will be!
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #5: Crow’s #haikai-esque #quadrille!
Thank you for sharing this.
My pleasure!
Graphically presenting the tragedy of the fires this summer … and still raging. Hopes and prayers for all.
I thought immediately of California when reading this.
Hope you will do well.
Where I am, there’s no immediate danger. Only ashes.
Oh, crow. I have so many friends I am praying for right now with all those fires. You have found so much beauty in those ashes, through these words. Sending good thoughts that you and yours stay safe.
Hope all of you are safe. Poem is very graphic
Thank you. We are 😊
I hope the fires go out soon. The sunsets don’t need them to be beautiful.
Agreed.
Nice mixing of beauty with ashes.
Thank you.
All the more beautiful knowing you’re safe. ❤️
❤️🌹
A sad incident expressed in such beautiful words.
Thank you.
That’s quite an image, Crow man. Ashes flittering through the air can initially be mistaken for snowflakes. I hope no one tries to catch them with their tongue.
That would be pretty nasty.
Yeah, try building a snowman.
Smoky the Ashman
Was some nightmare fuel they say
Cause he reeked of smoke
And a thousand tokes
Couldn’t mellow that dude’s day
Ha! You da man.