The wind shifted today
We get a break from the smoke
of 32 thousand acres of forest  burning
and maybe plastic and other toxics too
When the fire started the sun turned red
Liz looked up and called it a Chinese Lantern
as we drove north along the freeway
Not knowing what was happening
between the earth’s crust and the atmosphere
Knowning that it was not good
as it clouded the sunrays
and covered the car with ash
now its the 3rd day of flames
the mountains burn
anxieties sizzle
Global warming
Climate change
No longer a dire warning
A grotesque present
We thirst for solutions
and clean air

Nina Serrano is a Vallejo poet.

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