If Tears Could Put Out Wildfires

If tears could put out wildfires
Then we’d all be safe from harm.

They rush to save our lives and homes
From city, ranch and farm.

They call themselves the “hotshots”
And it’s not to brag or shout

They walk into a fearsome sight
To put those fires out

While we are told to leave and flee,
To grab our things and run

These pros rush in, without a thought
To fight until it’s done.

Then they head to yet another place
Where fire rages on the land

Never knowing if this fire or that
Could be their final stand.

Some fires just move too hot and fast
To safely run away

And some will not survive the night
To fight another day.

We honor them, and mourn their loss
And thank them one and all

If tears could put out wildfires
Then they’d still be standing tall.

–In honor of those lost on Colorado’s Storm King Mountain, and on Arizona’s Yarnell Hill Fire

Author: Barney Lerten

A newsman/news 'junkie' since a young boy - in Bend, Oregon since 1991, with a wonderful wife, Debbie, and two crazy kitty-cats! View all posts by Barney Lerten