The picture taken three years ago. The forest fire’s devastation almost complete. Charred and literally cooked to the inside core, the sentinels stood. The grief so tangible within me and the earth. The resilience even stronger. Yesterday, to walk the path and see the scars and reminders remain. Yet, like confetti strewn upon parade heroes the earth is celebrating her return.

And the whisper so strong I bowed with hands to my heart. Senseless cause and devastation. Senseless cause and rebirth. That my heart and scars would someday learn to mirror nature. Then the reminder, that resilience and even the beauty of forgiveness do not negate responsibility and the prayer of please Sweet Life, never again to be so thoughtless to any form or life.