Entre Nous ;)

lol... the format blew up in my face... I previewed it but the post disappeared in the work area... so had to copy and paste the preview into the work area and managed to give my indent format a syntax error because previewing removed the post... ah, well... how to edit ?

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor

I enjoyed the poem and form seems ok to me. You where very lucky to have your home preserved dwelling so near from the burning area. Hope everyone is fine now you, your family, cats.

If you aren´t insured, maybe this is a sign you should try to sell it earlier than you intended. I know there is much involved, in personal, familiar and spatial organization. your love of this place. But these fires seem to spreading more and more ( it is the same here, but the Brazilian fire areas seem to be almost unhabitated by humans, they largely destroy the woods and the animals habitats). I don´t want to sound alarming, but there is the risk of loosing the roof upon your heads.

You're right... discussions have been ongoing.

An edit to sort out some tender sensibilities:

Evacuation 9/8/2022 (Mosquito Fire)

Spent a few nights away from the Divide
Wife on holiday; Daughter: Auburn side
Me on a cot until I could decide...

There's lots to think when you're at a shelter
Where everyone's gone bat - helter-skelter
With Summer heat that just makes you swelter

With two cats and an overloaded car
Full of crucial "stuff" I couldn't let char
Wishing I still had my Lotus guitar

For what a fine tune I could wrassle up
Set my sad kitties down next to a cup
People would huck their dollars and dimes - yup

But I never did learn to play, so guess
I'll have to internalize my distress
And suck up my sorrows - nevertheless...

Nah, was lucky leavin' on a warning
Few days later with no more forewarning
Home before I had looters to mourning

Unpacking (yeesh) worst than packing it in
Still, the fire, at the time, looking 'fin'
I'd considered this homecoming a win

Yes, there were flare-ups to scare in new ways
With apps at hand, and out the pasture gaze
I'd sensed the end of the Mosquito blaze

~~~~~~~~~

Fired up the wood stove these past few nights
Which is odd for late summer rain delights
- The Mosquito fire wanes in its heights

Folks upcountry allowed last to go home
Those most dispossessed continue to roam
Give thoughts to the critter, færie, and gnome

My Wife and family back to routine
Cats re-adapting to their homely mien
Counting our blessings both seen and unseen

We've been saved from the path of destruction -
This time, a reprieve from reconstruction
These foothill haunts remain a seduction

* A disclaimer to add for those who've lost
Homes, security, and minds at great cost -
God bless; forgive me this tongue and cheek glost

9/22/2022 r.

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor