warm learning

warm orange of embers

a toddler would reach out and touch

how gratefully received that we learn

and can teach our children

about danger

how sad that we often teach them

about our fears, not real danger

but warm colors and beauty

surrounding us calms us to listen

and sometimes learn the difference

so the error may end without pain

or violence

red sky in the morning

smoky red sky to the northeast

as though the mighty Columbia were hosting wildfires

but it is only – i hope – dawn

we’ve had fire near often enough in the past few years

to be wary of more and compassionate

towards all who suffer terror and loss and fire danger