The California fires even now do heat and rage,
Its ash takes flight above the land in windy skies,
Now Sky-born o'er the water, flies,
Clothed cloud and sun in pretty pinks and gorgeous orange.
While hearth and home, and memories lost, are mourned.

---

Nature's destruction can be beautiful, and terrible. My own home was not threatened in the fires, but I'm close enough to see the sunsets that result. Would you believe that ash rained down on me like snow as I took this shot? It snowed on all of us, like a prefigured apocalypse. The snow of judgment and damnation, perhaps. It was bitter sweet, seeing a sunset wrought by so much destruction, death, and loss. But, perhaps, it was a sign of hope to those tonight despairing.

Taken in San Pedro, CA, a night ago.