When smoke obscures all light and life alike

And blazing forests blacken in protest,

Heat cackles, rears its ugly head to strike,

And force us flee to mother sea's cool breast.

The salty tears in gray waves round us churn;

A thrumming murmur pulses from the deep.

Sink lower down and scars no longer burn,

How easy it would be to simply sleep…

Yield not, my friend! Kick up with all your might,

Gasp in great gulps of air and cough, I say.

Don't stay forever in the gloom of night,

Splash at the heat, attack it with your spray!

If flame engulf you, choke you 'til you drown,

At least you will have fought ere you went down.