Some words for the week

my mechanic says

that my poetry

either laments the fiery end

of our mountain homes

or praises the nature

which still remains

he asks which is it

how do I see the world?

burning or beautiful

and I take a moment

and look out over the reservoir

and over the mountains

rippled and green and soft

all blurred by smoke

from smoldering northern forests

and I reply

that there is no choosing anymore

the world is burning

the world is beautiful

red paintbrush

and purple columbine

poke up between aspens

but the blossoms

and all else we know

will eventually fall into ashes

but there will always be

the blooming

of flame and flowers

not separate from each other

but one feeding the next

the flowers and then the flame

and then the flowers

all perfect and yellow and bright

miraculously again

Alexander Shalom Joseph is a writer from Gilpin County. He is a published author. For more information and to subscribe to Alexander’s Newsletter go to alexandershalomjoseph.com