Wildfire Sky – a poem by Kimberly Beck

Wildfire Sky

I probably shouldn’t be
out in this storm of 
smoke and ash, probably
shouldn’t be on this paved trail as it follows
softly the curve
of that ribbon, the gray river shining beneath
a mirror of wildfires and
cinder.

But where would I be without this place?
I pause on the shore to watch 
as the mallards fly past, their
collective portrait a collage
of emerald, and pine, and
falling rain.

And behind me, a raven lifts from the pale hands
of an aspen tree, his wings leaving trails of ink
across the sky in a crosshatch pattern of 
parchment and fountain pen.

I probably shouldn’t 
be out here, I know, but
give me just a few minutes more
to listen for You. 

Kimberly Beck is a poet from Washington State. She can often be found at a local therapy ranch, caring for a very special herd of Norwegian Fjord Horses. Her work has appeared in Solid Food Press, Ekstasis Magazine, The Penwood Review, Clayjar Review, and more. She is also the author of a poetry collection called Chiaroscuro.