drought year: bush fire

fire is a frightener you hope the winds
are blowing away from you while your neighbours
desire the opposite they are aware
of how easily destroyed are all the labours

that went into clearing the fields and planting
the right kind of grass to hold tight the land
and feed the cattle they can see as well as you
the fact that whichever subtle hand

first set the blaze will be the furthest laughing
as you rage impotent at the wave of flames
while shaking their heads and blaming
the youth of these days giving them foul names

while inside satisfied at the destruction
of all your hopes for reaching better days
you have to come to the sharp understanding
that times have changed and with them people's ways

the ferns that spring up when the ground has cooled
will feed no cattle you must hire more men
to clear the ground plant grass and then must hope
that someone will not set fire again