Wondering What We Did Wrong

As LA burns

Pixabay Image

The fires burned.
Flames lit the sky, as
fear rushed in to set the
trap. Hearts raced, 
people stood quiet in
disbelief. The world going
silent, just for a moment
until panic set in. Cars
roared to life. Cries echoed
through the night. Neighbors
glancing at distant doors –
Is there time to check?
Bags packed. Dogs in tow.
The widow’s garage in 
flames lights the way, as the
caravan of cars rolls down 
the boulevard.
Their eyes scan the night,
scan each other; hands
gripping hands, tears beginning
to fall – all is not lost – not yet.
Sirens fill the night air, but
not near enough to drown out
the raging winds. Nature is
angry – but at what? What did
we do to deserve such fury?
We try to appease, whispering
prayers to a God who’ll hopefully
pass along our regrets for whatever
it was we’re supposed to have
done. Please take it back. We’ll
do better next time.

I wrote this poem after I returned to my house In Los Angeles on the 9^th. I had never had to leave my home before due to Nature becoming incredibly angry at something. She’s always been rather gracious, even if not always kind.

Giving us a chance to mend our ways but the last few days have made us wonder. Seriously, what did we do to piss off Mother Nature this time?

It feels different. It feels almost human. Retribution for the pain caused and she wasn’t having any excuses.

Or maybe it had nothing to do with us humans at all. Maybe she was just doing what she always has done – taking away the old and bringing in the new. Maybe this is all business as usual for her. Housekeeping and nothing more.

Nah, I think we really pissed her off.