Make it stop

The welcoming rustling of the green summer trees,

The soft thump of grass underfoot,

The gentle flow of the river over there,

The joyful laughter of the children,

A fierce fire sweeps across the land,

A singular, blackened gum tree stands across,

Sirens and screams,

Make it stop, make it stop,

Coughing, spluttering,

Water spurts from the fire hose,

Everything pauses, just for a second,

The smoke carries the amber embers into the sky,

Make it stop, make it stop