SC FIRELAND

The Wind, The Water, The Flame When they questioned their supreme deities, The builders, lawmakers, valiant fighters Did not believe them.   They ignored them, would not believe, even laughed At the answers. Others protested, You can’t hunt here, said the rancher to the wolves. You can’t eat here, complained the farmer to the crow.…

Red Dirt Road Burned out tar paper shacks along a red dirt road Façade blackened with soot and ash, Hopelessness glaring from empty windows, In an open door a black-haired waif, In the darkness a hungry eyed toddler stands, Red dirt clinging to face, feet and hands, Who will hold you, little one. Who will…

Caldor Firestorm A night of fire and fury Our hearts trembled Our minds seized by shock A firestorm raging upon us Flames devouring every living thing Above and beneath the earth Relentless and unmerciful Firey embers raining from the sky We flee with terror in our hearts The firestorm charges eastward Leaving ash heaps of…

Passing Through the Flames   I sit here on my aging aching butt Among a lot of burnt up branches put Here to show what the flames of fire can do To them and the layers of silent soil Beneath the coat of fallen drying leaves And needles that the trees rain upon them Where…

Hellish Reverie What conscience swears Is fire’s kiss is not so charming To rouse a sleeping sylvan beauty. But scruples do not falsify my eye, Which looks on hot unheavenly aurora roaring As though This thing that smears an ashen maquillage Would beautify.   Garrett Ramos Salvagers, Lovers Leap, 2023, giclée print, Still from digital…