Fire and water – mostly good, also dangerous

Editor: We have two friends and enemies, sometimes, they are the same.

Sometimes, they’re called by what they are, sometimes by another name.

When rain comes down in wee fine drops, feeding grass and crops and trees, its gentle mantle does not even stop the flight of birds and bees.

And then there are days when clouds erupt and torrents just come raging down, Creeks and rivers flood their banks and wash away both roads and towns.

Sometimes we get some warning, sometimes they’re not enough.

And when that kind of weather comes, we know it’s gonna be tough

And how about fire, that keeps us warm through snowy days and frosty nights.

We snuggle close to the heater then, and watch perhaps the northern lights.

But a cigarette drop or a lightning strike, can start a burn roaring through forest and village,

And our one-time friend whose enemy now, has come to ruin destroy and pillage

But enough of the down side, let’s look at the good, of fire and water, our friends.

The old wood cookstove, that gave us our meals, heated water for bath at a busy days end. Dry land grows no crops, so we need it to rain, fresh water for rivers, and snow on ski slope

We’re warmed by the fire, water quenches our thirst, so thank mother nature, we’re blessed beyond hope.

Ken Thompson, Kelowna