Eagle View

Over a mile high, up in the sky
up where the Eagles, Hawks, and Ravens fly
some days you can see forever
scanning the treed horizon
to the mountains far
and you hope that you never
see what you are constantly looking for
checking for smokes
but keeping up hope
that no big ones will arise
keeping your eyes
always on the skies
so that when a grey plume does rise
you will not be caught by surprise
and that small it will be
when spotted and called in by degree
then your job will be done right
and you can sleep well that night
and dispatch on the radio may say
good job up there today
thanks for your good eyes
up there on the hill
giving you the heart and the will
to go back up to the lookout again
and seek for the smokes
whenever they start
knowing you're ready
but never getting too smart
for when you're not looking
is just when they'll come
and it's never easy
to stay always aware
take the challenge and dare
for time passes slowly
till the moment will come
when all happens at once
and you leap into action
with no time to spare
the fire crews stand ready
and the aircraft will fly
the engines will roll
and the choppers take to the sky
so you tend to your mission
and say a quick prayer
God keep me ready
for when a fire does flare
and keep the crews safe
on the line and back to base
when the red fire devil
they have to go out and face.


copyright 2009 Vern Southard
Strawberry Peak Lookout
San Bernardino National Forest