Ashes in the Air
Our county has an open burn season for brush, etc., that runs from the first of November through the first of March, provided high winds are not a factor. Our city does, as well, and resident are encouraged to be considerate of neighbors. In fact, they are encouraged to take broken tree limbs, leaves and brush to the city’s yard waste site where mulch is made available to residents. Why burning is allowed in the city, where up to five houses may be within an acre of land, is beyond me. Even the slightest breeze will carry smoke hundreds of feet. With the mild winters and temperature fluctuations that we have, it’s not unusual to have an occasional fifty to seventy degree day with open windows as an open invitation for that smoke.
smoke slowly rises
as dry leaves and branches burn
ashes in the air
This haibun is my response to Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt
#Challenge 391 BURN(ed/ing/s) and Old.
Image source: 11alive.com
rivrvlogr 
Living close to heathland years ago, fires were not uncommon. Now most of that heathland is built upon and the land they have left is still prone to fires started by carelessly discarded cigarettes.
Happy New Year Ken.
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Thank you, Di, and happiness to you, as well.
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Thanks
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Sounds very un-ecological. It’s banned even here, in the countryside!
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Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #7: Ken Gierke’s latest #haibun for Ronovan Writes!
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Thanks for sharing, Frank. 🙂
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My pleasure, Ken! 😇
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It’s not only ecologically unsound, it’s dangerous. Wind can carry sparks with ease, and the risk of fire of dwellings as well as nature areas is great.
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Agreed!
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I hope it doesn’t take a tragedy to discontinue the practice. (K)
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I think the mentality around here would be to dismiss a single incident. Individual rights — right or wrong — are vehemently defended.
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Everybody wants to be the one to sink the ship…
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Mulching so much healthier for all … but the “urge” to burn in place vs load up and take to be mulched is pretty strongly ingrained in many. I remember doing a good bit of burning when we cleared our half acre in Florida back in 1970 – no one complained because it was the norm back then for coping with pine needle buildup. By the time I left Florida in 1986, even a small “yard fire” drew complaints and the possibility of police showing up. Now, in suburban Austin, yard fires just don’t happen. All of this to say where you are is apparently still in transition – some collective squawking might be productive – and poetic highlighting cannot hurt!
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Thanks, Jazz. Outside of the city we’re surrounded by farmland, and to be honest – except for the big cities – they claim the mentality for the state, so I don’t see this holdover going away any too soon.
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Perhaps an area is better off with more smoke and fewer humans … but that’s hard on the few humans! You have my sympathies.
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I laughed, I’ve given up hoping that commonsense might appear or that kindness might be a pandemic. 🙂 resonated strongly.
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Thanks, Paul.
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I felt like this spoke to all the senses.
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Thank you.
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Beautiful, Ken!
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Thank you, Susi.
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You’re welcome, Ken!
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