“The Bushfire”  by Julie Cahill

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Someone lit a bushfire
in scrub, all dense and thick.
The thought of creatures struggling, made me really sick.
Houses too were threatened, human lives as well . . .
but when we heard the sirens
stress and worry fell.
The firetrucks, they went herbing past
with firemen clinging on
Men and women- don’t know names-
broke out into song.
‘We’ll dose that fire with hoses;
we’ll put out all the flames.’
The engines flashed a brighter red

Our bushlands have been saved.

I Am Fire by Marsala Strachan

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I Am Fire

I am frightening.
I can be made from lightning.
One small spark brought me awake.
I am winding like a big red snake.
I am like a blood red wall.
I am the beast that ate it all.
My flames flickered, I crept.
I snickered and then … I leapt.
I am roaring.
Catching every bird that is soaring.

Marsala Strachan

  • Marsala’s poem received a Special Mention in  the 12th Kathleen Julia Bates Memorial Writing Competition. For full results click here.