“Forest Fire” by Marcus Orta

I. As kids we didn’t realize death was as common as it is, and there it is, the first funeral you attend. II. After spending months with my residents and seeing them every day, I attended the funeral of 23 patients that passed during their care, and 18 funerals of friends and family just in my first 16 years of life. III. After attending 41 funerals and 19 code blues in total, every single code blue in the hospital makes my heart drop. “Another one” as a tear rolls down my face. Defeated.

The fire It blooms deep Down within Spreading up Spreading thin

The roses Surround me now Lying Upon the earth Covering The ground

An ocean of Red Under the deep Blue Expanding forever Outside of my view

Movement so swift Captivates me Hyperaware now But here I feel free There’s no looking back I must know what I see

The Red Sea is dressed Covered in thorns A warning to all But when beauty beckons I answer its call

“Forest Fire” by Marcus Orta

The forest is deep Here nearing the core Echoes of silence, Left yearning for more Longing for less I cannot conceive Echoing crackles Do senses deceive

I am here alone

Dusk has set and dawn has gone I ventured and failed Each travesty railed Death trails yet closer upon

Waiting At these woods I thirst for rain To quench the fire Inside my brain Not all has gone up into flames, Oh God, next will be me.