The Creative Light

In often times in the past 6 days

when we were sheltering from the nearby blaze

I was feeling harrowed but kept the faith

to keep believing for heaven’s sake

all would be well.

And what I learned from evacuation

return

more preparation

for another evacuation

but we stayed

as the rains came,

so then we rested from that constant vigilance to know

do we stay near the bush-fires or do we go.

And through it all I realized

‘life is vital’ and so I knew

what was ‘inspiring and creative’

would be my choice to grab again

when the warnings came.

I would take best mate, Smiley-Bob,

water the gardens to help the frogs,

keep looking out to do

whatever I may for the trees and bees

the birds, the skinks

as what I think

is, we will endure if we see beauty around

as the inspiration which may be found

in nature.

So true it was,

as forests burned,

as vineyards were lost and koalas found

that the fire destroyed immense surrounds

but yet they say

in fire there is ‘the creative light’

to shine on simplicity

and see where goodwill glows and endurance shows,

The thunder,

the lightning was indeed frightening

the smoke

the flames

the sirens sound

but here today

we drive around The Adelaide Hills

and folk are filled with praise

for those who gave us another chance

to live in mindfulness and enhance

our lives in simple ways

with displays of creativity

admiration

and the resilience of the human spirit.

(Written in my car with some Burnt Orange Flowering Gum on January 7, 2015)