#Haikai Challenge #46 (8/11/18): Fire #haiku #senryu #haibun #tanka #haiga #renga

TOPSHOT-US-ENVIRONMENT-FIRE

Flames from the Holy Fire scorch a hillside in Lake Elsinore, California, on August 9.ROBYN BECK / AFP / GETTY

My, did you have a lot to say about vacations last week, haijin!

Congratulations to all contributors:

Haikai Challenge Participants

1. Denise DeVries
2. Deborah Gomez
3. Jules @ Strands
4. Dwight L. Roth

5. Reena Saxena
6. Paul Guernsey Player
7. Janice
8. Pat R

9. Janice (2)
10. Jules @ Strands #2
11. Revived Writer

Onward!

The worst wildfire season in California history rages on. An unprecedented number of acres burn, and countless firefighters from the state, the nation and even countries as far as New Zealand continue to battle them. Some conjecture the reason for the severity of the wildfires this season. Whatever the reason, they exemplify the double-edged nature of fire.

It is the natural phenomena that has played such a crucial role in our species’ evolution. It’s discovery and use has made fire one of our most important “tools.” From the first bonfires where our ancestors sang songs and danced to the internal combustion engines that power the machinary literally driving our economy and lifestyle, fire has revolutionized our way of living.

But as Holy Fire and Medocino Complex demonstrate, fire is a force of nature that can utterly destroy. Even as part of a natural cycle, fire purges areas as few other forces of nature can. Combined with neglect or even criminal intent, fire’s destruction can reach unprecedented levels.

It remains a phenomena that we must respect and utilize with the utmost care.

This week, write the haikai poem of your choice (haiku, senryu, haibun, tanka, haiga, renga, etc.) that state or allude to fire.

As always:

Here’s how the challenge works:

1. write the haikai poem of your choice.
2. post the link of your post to Mister Linky.
3. pingback by posting the link to the challenge on your site.
4. read and comment on other contributors’ posts.