By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

Burn Area

Why does it take fire
to knock down flames?
Peeling back undergrowth
exposing artifacts
tossed from windows
on reckless drives off roads?

Why does it require snowstorms of ash
to make black so white
we are forced to atone:

Inconsolable streams
bleeding
wreaths of barbed wire    bullet ridden automobiles
burned out of burn area?

Poet’s note: This is the area directly behind Del Norte High School where the Bernardo Fire began. As you can see from the video people have been dumping junk here for years. You couldn’t see them as well before the fire but I have been concerned that kids from the school and adjacent neighborhood might get into some of these abandoned cars and be injured. I have no idea who owns this land.

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Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).

Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)

• Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
• Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
• Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018