Craig Norris

Jan 21, 2010 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

all the vanities. Tooma station fire 2009

When all around you turns to fire
and the world is burning,
when harsh winds drive flames before them
and messengers of smoke and ash
are stealing from your lungs.

When the fluid of your eyes starts boiling
and you are alone in this
utterly alone
within the maelstrom,
your choices made
your cards you have considered
and on the table laid.

When all the vanities of man are melting
and the red begins to blister,
do you know then
do you know
where your heart takes refuge ?

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: AUS

Comments

weirdelf

16 years 3 months ago

Crikey mate,

I like this, but not sure if it works as a metaphor. In the midst of a fire I'd be more concerned about my arse getting burnt off than my hearts refuge! I like the structure and writing, the repetition is very effective. p.s. I lived in Tooma as a kid when dad was working on the Snowy Scheme. Cheers, Jess, reprehensibly irrepressible

Craig Norris

16 years 3 months ago

Hey Jess,

I arrived at this fire with our truck, a crew of three, it was pretty intense, 80km per hour winds driving three/four metre high flames, sheds houses and stock being incinerated, at moments I felt events were poised, all we could do was trust to the choices we had made, at those times it was not my arse that I was thinkin' of. cheers mate, and by the way it might be of interest to you to know that Tooma Station still stands. Craig

weirdelf

16 years 3 months ago

Ah, now I understand the poem.

Perhaps you should consider that even a fellow Aussie who has fought bushfire didn't get it. But then again maybe I am just thick. Cheers, Jess, reprehensibly irrepressible

Craig Norris

16 years 3 months ago

and here's me

thinking I had written this as prose, thinking everything was way too literal. But the question is this, when your life is on the line and there is nothing you can do, nowhere to run, what do you think of, to what do you turn?

weirdelf

16 years 3 months ago

I certianly don't get philosophical or poetical

I can only think of ways to survive. And believe me, I have had many near death experiences. Maybe that's why I have survived so long. Cheers, Jess, reprehensibly irrepressible

Craig Norris

16 years 3 months ago

in this instance

when your choices have been made and your cards upon the table have been laid when there is nothing more that you can do, nowhere left to run to nowhere left to hide, when all there is, is but a fiery maw and you are in the jaws of it, for this little black duck the brain and all its thoughts became irrelevant.

kaligantsaros

16 years 3 months ago

Shades of Kipling's IF..

It works being cut short with that very sharp question. Do you know . do I know as the maelstrom of fire approaches. Not sure! I think my arse is on fire most of the time though! Kal

Craig Norris

16 years 3 months ago

cheers Kal

those moments are intense, and while I would not wish them upon anyone, they sure accelerate and amplify being alive. Craig

odd molly

16 years 3 months ago

Darling Craig ,Yes, how

Darling Craig , Yes, how terrible are not those fires and how small we are compared to the forces of nature. Things like this is a reminder and I love your question in the end it is powerful and important. Well written prose ( prosa) and I love that you are trying new styles and forms in your writing. love and love o molly

Craig Norris

16 years 3 months ago

o molly dear heart

the raw power in moments like these is something to behold, fortunately in this case the losses were mostly confined to property and livestock, not people, however it would be true to say that lives were changed and shaken. thank you for being here. love. Craig

Worldwide Freeride

16 years 3 months ago

Hi Craig,

Hi Craig, This is my first venture here and I was unsure what to expect... However I am very pleasantly surprised for you start off with smoke singles sent into the sky that has alarm bells ringing... and with all you heart and might you try and turn back what has already started. You struggle to douse the flames with sweat, blood and tears but ultimately they will overcome you and all that is precious both material, sentimental and even your own looks will be burnt away leaving only tears to reside in. Love the way you have worded this as you can see as a struggle against a natural fire or with people veiws mixed with emotions of all that can happen... how the world changes once the devastation has died down and you are left with nothing but lies within your heart. Excellent first trip to your page for me! Dale :)

Craig Norris

16 years 3 months ago

Hey Dale

thanks for reading and commenting here, yes you are right, I tried to paint this experience so that it read as a bit of a metaphor. However what resides in the hearts of men and women is for them to discover, hence the question. cheers. Craig