Going Up In Flames

The conflagration spread before my dainty eyes, as I watched my verdant home annihilate to ashes.         

My heart pounding, petrified. My once cherished home, was now gone.

A couple months past by, and the world around me, had burned like a piece of paper thrown into flames.             

I perched on a colossal Manna Gum tree. Its resilient soul, standing strong against defeat.

Several disorientated animals past by every so often, scampering across the parched earth.

I cried out, calling for my feathered friends. I practised my distress call, hoping for a reply but was left with no answer.

The rich unique Australian landscaped looked bare with no spirit. Trees hung dead, lost in despair and filled with misery.

Their sable coloured bark, burned by the flames. The sap trickled down to the red soil.

I decided I had to keep going. Sitting here, watching miserably was not going to help at all.

I had to be resilient and brave, even if sitting here was too much. I took flight, and flew across the solemn branches.

I heard calls of fright, calls of fear, but I also heard calls of hope, calls for a new beginning.

I though; maybe I could rise from the grief and start fresh. I beckoned with excitement and flew into the bushland.

Time flew past like the wind on a stormy day. My yellow and dark brown wings glided through the smoke-filled wind.

In the distance, the emerald hills stood still. The trees swayed slowly. A few birds squawked with delight.

A colour of yellow and dark brown flashed before my eyes. My heart raced in confusion.

I kept flying, flabbergasted and surprised. Until I finally saw it.

It fluttered its wings and chirped, jubilant. It was a Helmeted Honeyeater just like me.