BRUSHFIRE
by Joanna Gilman Hyde
The Tomato-coloured Couch 9:11pm
I was That Girl
Who watched uneasily
as Her Brother’s Friend
heaped dried leaves
on top of a little fire
lit to cook onion grass
in The Woods behind Her House
–
I was That Girl
Who ran back to The House
to get a pitcher of water
to meet Her Mother’s Alarm
–
I was That Girl
“eight-going-on-nine”
Who wrote a letter of thanks
to The Valley Cottage Fire Department
“for saving Our Woods”
“I’ll never scratch a match again”
–
I was That Girl
praised by Her Former Kindergarten Teacher
met in the school hallway
The Letter was in the paper
Joanna Gilman Hyde 
What’s up with the fires in Nova Scotia? Strong aromas making their way down here to the Northeast. Hope you are well. —CC
Oh Chagall im right in the vicinity of the largest forrest fire in Nova Scotia’s history. I havent been evacuated because im on Cape Sable Island near Barrington Passage but Barrington was evacuated yesterday along with areas to the east almost to Shelburne. Nobody seems to know how much damage there is so far.
While we all choke down here, please know that I think of you – my on-line friend – every day. – CC