Melbourne burning in tempestuous, high flame
Grim Saturday, mid-forties, loud and fast game
Black sky, whirly fires surround—wind-turning
Car has run out of road, my guts are churning
Hide in pipe, no air, sparks licking clothes, leg-lame
House is gone; now trying to save barefoot dame
Burnt eyes, mind says: “Lay Lady, stay—sleep the same”
Heart-wrench to leave, too late—keep spirit-yearning
Melbourne burning
Ravager race, wild animals bound—char-frame
I still breathe—somehow my dog escaped and came
Mary, Flower, King blaze, bravely-fight—spurning
Ash Wednesday, Black Friday—late for learning
Lovers die arm-in-arm—some lost without name
Heaviness lies on black land, naked, un-tame
Melbourne burning