The blackened landscape seemed
dead
as the ranger trudged through
taking mental notes of the
destruction
trying to keep it all in perspective
not an especially big fire
in the scale if things
just devastating to those
who call this home
most animals and birds fled
escaping death
insects may have not been so lucky...
some seeds actually need this kind of heat
to germinate
burnt underbrush will fertilize the soil
But, the atmosphere was ghostly
where there had been abundant life
All was now dark, quiet
desolation
Something made the ranger look down
there,
almost underfoot
was a wraith-like warbler
tiny wings protectively spread out
Bending down for a closer look
it crumbled into ashes and blew away with a puff
revealing a miniature nest and three chicks
alive and unharmed
by the fire