Red Tail above Sunset Strip
Walking up the ridge way
A hawk’s call
breaks through
my distracted ascent.
I look up fast
to see the flash of red-tail
shimmering
in crimson rays
on this day's sunset.
The red fires in the West
on the sunset strip
haunt my plodding steps.
up the step slope.
My heart pulses
out the losses.
Hawk's shadow
passes over
weaving in and out
of everything
that is left standing
in the long light
that is leaving us.
Struggling to balance
I anchor my feet
on familiar rocks
taking heightened care
not to step on
vibrant green worlds
of moss enrobed in white snow.
I arrive at the crest
facing East
I see our small home
down below
through myriad trees.
I want to rush down
and close the door
against the cold truth
of what we are all facing
as the world erupts in chaos.
Our glowing wood stove is
emanating warmth from the carefully
split and tended logs of the forest.
For now we get to choose what burns and
what remains to shelter us.
But furious flames
leap out at me from the flat phone world
in the palm of my hand
Flashes of massive mansions
turning black, and the people
standing sooted, stricken and streaked by tears
evicted by fire
from their small paradise ranches
in the city of angels.
I have come to the ridge to
listen to the Mother of Life
whispering on the wind
She is crying
Thousands of miles away
the voices of
bear, deer, coyote, cougar,
raccoon, tiny mice and uncountable beings
are laid down
with a few escaping in the arms
of firemen and women
trudging out of the black.
The Hawk breaks out
another sharp call
in the gloaming
of the human story
It calls me
to leave the barren branches
of my isolating ways
and rise
with sharp calls
and strong wings
to fly fast
to all that I love.
Hawk tells me
Everything we do with love
lifts us up together
Even fear can come along
for the flight
when aligned
with a clear sight
that infinite love
is what lifts us up
and takes us home
Beth Fairservis, January 13th, 2025
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Thank you, Bethie, for rising with sharp calls and strong wings to fly fast to us all with this poem of love.
Thank you for this beautiful heartfelt poem and image that touch me deeply. xox