Comment from --Turtle.

Exceptional

Hi, Carol,

I lost my review to this piece, am running a little short on time to retype it, but I wanted to let you know I read it, and I thought it was very strong. Imagery, the mix of fire and the irony of wanting a smoke near a forest on fire, the fast glimpses of people that shape them vividly, give them life and personality. All very well done. A really solid poem to read.

 Comment Written 03-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-May-2016

Oh, don't retype, it's so frustrating when that happens. Thank you for reading this slice of memory, from almost 30 years ago! Now I feel old, saying that :)
Carol

Comment from ~Dovey

Excellent

Hi Carol,

You did a really good job of weaving in your break time respite with the destructive flame and ash and smoke of the wildfire. Your imagery is vivid and you have some nice alliteration sprinkled throughout your free verse.

Great job!

Kim

 Comment Written 02-May-2016

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reply by the author on 02-May-2016

Thank you, Kim!
Carol

Comment from mermaids

Excellent

Your use of words is vivid and you take the reader into the wilderness and witness this fire burning. You had quite an interesting job and you also teach the reader about working fires and letting nature take her course.

 Comment Written 01-May-2016

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reply by the author on 02-May-2016

Now that I'm in Southern California, nobody lets the fires burn anymore - too many homes. In a giant wilderness area it's the best plan, and is good fire management. I miss that job sometimes!
Carol

Comment from misscookie

Exceptional

The artwork you choose to go with your poem is awesome.
You captured my attention from the first line to the end.
God bless the men and women who love doing this dangerous job
Thank you for sharing.
Cookie

 Comment Written 01-May-2016

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reply by the author on 01-May-2016

Thank you, dear friend, so much appreciated!
Carol

reply by misscookie on 01-May-2016

You're very welcome.
Have a blessed day
Cookie

Comment from frogbook

Excellent

Wow this is a strong poem with vivid images. It had honors into the bravery of firefighting with a tinge of excitement and dedication for the job. Very interesting and something most of us will never know.

 Comment Written 01-May-2016

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reply by the author on 01-May-2016

It was a fun thing to do for a few summers, and probably is sort of unique I guess. I really did love it.
Carol

Comment from MacMhuirich

Exceptional

Sometimes all of mans (woman's) training and hard work is helpless against the power of nature. This was a dramatic and fascinating read, you really have been a woman of many trades. Well worded with good imagery and another passage of life revealed. Thank you for sharing.
Bless you
John

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 01-May-2016

Yes, I have had an interesting variety of jobs. I guess I'm lucky, looking at it that way. My job now is pretty dull stuff compared to firefighting, but better suited to a 52 year old :)
hugs, and thanks for this awesome rating, John!
Carol

Comment from lightink

Excellent

Wow! Another extremely powerfully worded poem!

Hmm...
"he'd let me have one
if I really wanted

I did..."

wait, this one refers to the cigarette - and "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar", right? ;)

What a strange doom's day mood - watching the fire burn while smoking a cigarette!

"River of no Return" wow! That name is so incredible!

I love how you mixed power and powerlessness in the closing lines
"no bucket drop or well-laid hose -
slurry pass in garish rows -
can stop this fuel and fire
nor put to rest this
heart's desire.
"

Beautiful piece!

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 01-May-2016

Thank you for reading and appreciating this poem. The mood that inspires one to smoke a cigarette while watching a forest fire burn is...either overly nonchalant, or the whim of someone very young, which I was. I still smoke, very occasionally - American Spirit only :)

You know, I met a poet who was the Fire Lookout on Horse Mountain, where our base camp was located, and he was a poet. A U of San Francisco professor during the school year, and Forest Service Fire Lookout during the summer. We chatted a few times together and he sent me a book of his published poetry, which I cherish. "Seldom Seen" Don Scheese was his name. The fire lookouts have a reputation for being solitary souls. I always thought I should have done that, for a summer or two... :)

hugs,
Carol
P.S. The slurry is bring orange-pink in color, so it really is garish!

Comment from Dorothy Farrell

Excellent

Great write about your memories. I thought at first you were writing about Australia, but then you mentioned lions, so I went for Africa. Then I read your author notes. Wherever, it is a good free verse, very expressive. Is there really a river called 'The River of no Return? I saw a Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe film by that name years ago and thought it was made up. Good piece of writing. Warm regards Dorothy x

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2016

Yep, the River of No Return Wilderness is in Idaho, western United States. It's very real. I'm not sure if there is a river of that name as well. It is a huge, wild wilderness area, full of bears and mountain lions, and all other kinds of critters. Not so many humans though :)
I bet that film you saw was good - sounds intriguing! Thanks for reading my memories. People who don't know me seem to think it was a man writing this. But no - we do have women on the forest fire crews here :)
Carol

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Nice job with this free verse style about firemen and fireworks.

You've done a lot of interesting things in life. It's fun to read about them.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2016

Thanks, Gypsy. My life seem so boring now after things I did in the past!
hugs,
Carol

Comment from William Ross

Excellent

Wonderful work on this, A great memory poem of fighting forest fires for the U.S. forest service. great free style, thanks for sharing the story of your past. wonderful work, Enjoy your day.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2016

Thanks so much, William!
Carol