From Brenda Warren’s blog, A Wordling Whirl of Sundays (a new favorite prompt of mine – check it out!). Words from the Wordle form appear in bold within my poem. Check Brenda’s blog to see what other poets came up with, and to view the actual Wordle block, which for some reason would not reproduce here. Peace, Amy
Twilight Ablaze
Deep in this planet’s twilight,
a confidently striding soul has fallen.
His head came up against a heavy branch; both cracked.
Now he lies still.
His cigarette smolders,
its sparks set dry leaves afire.
A light breeze spreads flames as
the night wind tails toward the valley below,
turning a slight accident into
the full-throated cry of hundreds of neighbors
afraid their homes will not be spared.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
This poem is also at Poets United, my poetic collective home. Click on their link and discover a WORLD of amazing poets!
Sharp Little Pencil 
brenda w
Amy, This one speaks volumes. Carelessness, oversight, stupidity, tragedy. You tell a cautionary tale rich with imagery, and suspense. You’ve crafted a wonderful piece. I’m so glad you are playing the wordle game.
~Brenda
Sharp Little Pencil
Brenda, thanks for starting this up. I’m amazed at the breadth of experience and creativity you are conjuring from all of us! A
pmwanken
You sure have a way with wordle words…easily weaving them into your work. I always look forward to reading your post!
~Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
I was just at your site, Paula, so right back atcha! A
Debbie
You are a wonder with wordle! Great story poem, using the words, and nothing feeling forced! And I love how you tell us about everyone else to go see. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, that was a cute comment. Hey, your Gravatar changed, cool! Thanks for stopping, as always. Love, A
vivinfrance
Very dramatic.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. Amazing how many takes we had on that Wordle! It’s easy when you come up with great words, as Brenda has week after week. A
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. Amazing how many takes we had on that Wordle! It’s easy when you come up with great words, as Brenda has week after week. A
Altonian
That was a dramatic read, so well done from prescribed words, I’m not sure I could do it myself but I will have a look in at this Wordle business. Thanks for your email – glad you’re back!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Leigh. The Wordle is fun – a big block of words. Try Brenda’s A Wordling Whirl of Sundays… I think it’s on my Blogroll list, right at the top. Glad we are back in touch! Amy
Laurie Kolp
Amy- I think he must live in Texas…
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Laurie, this is the best response I had all day… Sorry, Texans! I was actually thinking also of my former home state, California, where too many wildfires have taken hold, but I guess idiots are homegrown in all 50 states. But Texas does lay claim to the biggest one…(!) Amy
margo roby
Hi Amy! You are right: it is fun to see the different takes, but also the ones who thought of similar possibilities. I like your story and the choices you made with the words and how they play.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Margo. I agree – a few of us “played with fire” on this one. The words were the easy part, since Brenda picks great groupings… I still have to get back to her site and read that original poem, from whence the words came… Amy
annell Livingston
I liked this very much!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Annell! Peace, A
Henry Clemmons
Excellent imagination, present very well. I liked!!!!!!!!!!! I had a similar theme.
http://henryclemmonspoet.blogspot.com/2011/05/below-haze-wordle-6.html
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, we were on the same wavelength! I love when folks provide a direct link to a particular poem, so keep that coming, Henry. And thanks so much! Amy
Traci B
Powerful poem, Amy. We have a burn ban on in our area right now because of a drought, so except for the valley part (we’re in a below-sea-level flatland), this piece describes something that very well could happen here.
Sharp Little Pencil
Traci, I pray that you all are safe. There are too many tinderboxes out in the hills, and all it takes is one idiot to displace so many. Prayers to you and your community, Amy
pamelasayers
I love the direction you took the words in, Amy.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Pamelita! Seemed to write itself for the most part. Fun with Wordles is finding the pace…
Tilly Bud
Love what you did with the wordle. Sadly, it’s all too common a story. I am always amazed at such carelessness.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amazing that people can be so thoughtless, it’s true. It’s always some drunk tossing a cig butt out the window, or a camper who doesn’t know the rules about extinguishing a fire… or someone who thinks it’s cool to see their “work” on the news. THOSE people should do huge community service, cleaning it all up.
Renee Espriu
In the blink of an eye everything changes and lives are never the same. This one packs a punch! Nicely done, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
So true, Renee. Thanks for the affirmation. Peace, Amy
Mr. Walker
Amy, I’m impressed with how you came up with a story out of those wordle words, and what a story – how one can affect so many! “confidently striding” – or overconfident?
Richard
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, a new wrinkle there in that last. The words were the easy part, since Brenda is brilliant with the Wordles. Usually they are so random, one struggles to “shove” them into a poem, so I generally don’t touch them, but Wordling Whirl of Sundays is one of my new fave blogs (as you can see on my sidebar)! Thanks, Richard! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil
Lived in a lot of “fiery” places, Lucy. Just hoping to avoid the Final Fiery Place, LOL (I don’t believe in Hell anyway…). Thanks for the comment, my cranky little tropical fruit!
uponthewingsofnight
The poem in its entirety is really good though I am definitely drawn to the first stanza the most. It takes me in then transports me to another scene so effortlessly. Good job as always, my friend.