Smoke in the Distance


On my morning walk

gathering festoons of pine cones

I saw smoke arising in the distance

where the sun shone


The place was an abandoned cabin

where the owners had planted grapes

among the pine trees

in various shapes


Surreptitiously creeping closer

seeing raisins on the ground

attempting to determine the cause

I walked around


Some resin from the trees

appeared to be the spark

there was a small fire burning

consuming the bark


Throwing some dirt

putting out the fire

a relief to the wild life

before the situation became dire


The sun filtered the smoke

through the trees

the air became clear

making it easy to breathe


Resuming my walk

enjoying some grapes

leaving the forest

grateful that some vines escaped


copyright 2023 Debbie Pierce

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