Back Yard Fire

Neighbor Tim sent me some pictures recently of a fire he built in the back yard.  I loved them when I was up there.  Nothing quite like a nice warming blaze in the Fall.  Beer, friends, the big sky and those eerily spooky eyes, nose and mouth Carrie tacked to the tree.  These pictures are quite good and bring out interesting colors.

A match that's spent.  A failed attempt.

I must find wood that's drier.

A puff of smoke.  A flicker weak.

A flash! A flare! A fire!

The innocent flames seem hesitant,

Unsure of what to do.

Then, shed their childhood innocence

And roar to heights anew.

Strange shadows dance around my feet.

And sneak amongst the trees..

A sudden spark streaks to'rd the sky

Then settles near my knees.

Grey wisps of smoke curl around my head

Then fade into the night.

The pulsing coals, in brilliant red,

Are cubes of fierce delight.

The crackling logs disturb the night

With sudden sharp reply

To licking tongues of orange and red

That 'luminate the sky.

Then, are consumed by famished flames

That surge along their length.

Devouring in that searing heat

And sapping of their strength.

Soon, flames give way to glowing coals

That lie in reddened mass.

Then, as a yawn of sleep creeps o'er,

The coals are turned to ash.

Poem by Red Dog


Christopher Janey of BFE graces the last photo as he sidles up to the fire to keep warm.  The purples shown in some of the photos are as they came to me, no doctoring or editing.  Nice pictures and glad Tim took the time to send them.  We had a brief cool period a couple weeks ago but it has left and it is hot once more.  It's a wonder people who live in this place don't have mold growing on them.  Oh wait, I just checked my North side.  

A fire in the backyard.  Closing the windows on cool nights.  Getting the  electric blanket out of the closet.  The smell of burning leaves, legal or illegal.  Getting back into that hoodie that has been hanging up since last April.  Seeing Christmas stuff in the stores before Halloween. Tanner's Orchard.  Quick peak in the corner of the garage to make sure that the shovel is there. Apple cider. Fall.