Victoria’s Burning!

          The trees and bushland of the High Country

                Lie charred and blackened

                       Under the all devouring flames.

     Victoria’s burning

          Weary fire-fighters

                 Stumble over the bodies

                      Of trapped, terrified animals;

                              Desperate victims of the raging monster.

     Victoria’s burning

           Soot grimed faces

                Of exhausted valiant crews,

                        Set in haggard lines

                              From battling the ferocious dragon.

     Victoria’s burning

            The air, so thick and heavy.

                   Sitting on the shoulders like a shroud.

                          Hundreds of kliks away

                                 City folk breath the miasma.

                                        The pall born south by the unforgiving north wind.

     Victoria’s burning

           We look to the south.

                 Where is the blessed wind

                          That will bring relief?

                                Where is the rain?

                                                                                         Victoria’s burning