The Awakening by Gareth from Mazenod College

It begins with a spark, the bringing of fire.
A falling match or a heavenly flash.
Then the endless black smoking pyre.
Animals flee from the wall of ash.
Such heat beyond any could dream.
Boiling the creeks, burning the brush.

The roar of the flame, a devilish scream.
An evil red in a deadly rush.
Leaf and wood turn to black.
Trees creak and groan their last shuddering breath.
Then they fall with a deafening crack.
Creatures lie still as they welcome their death.
Destruction and chaos, all around.
As all life is devoured by the death and dark.
There are no more creatures left to be found.
A picture most grim, of evil most stark.
Once the flames have taken it all.
Bird and beast, tree and town.
Back to hell, away they fall.
A blanket of ash covering, like Satan’s crown.
No life remains, either perished or fled.
Land once green, holding promise, hope and life.
All that’s left is a place now dead.
For as it always has been, good will end in strife.
Now years have been since the great burning.
And beneath the ash, hope may be found.
A small sign that the tides are turning.
As the land begins to heal its wound.
Life is returning, fauna and flora.
Finding their home no longer burnt.
To their world returns a peaceful aura.
Streams run again, soothing the hurt.

The world is anew, as was before.
Though the scars remain upon the land,
The signs of an unforgotten war.
The works of a great unseen hand.
For this is part of the world’s design.
Of life and death with an unending span.
But always, this world will shine.
With nature’s gifts and her beautiful plan.