FIRE CLEARANCE

When the rain falls freely
The grasses grow tall 
Such is the cross that I bear
Following each wet winter.

Light rains fall ‘Pitapat’
Heavy rains fall ‘Topatopa’ 
My world exists between these
Two onomatopoeic words…

In sleep my feet point towards
A range of mountains*
Named for the giant rye that
Grows prolifically on their mesas.

These lithic Topatopas
Reference a plant for which
The Chumash had many uses
Midst the split-splatter of rain. 

And a wet winter we had of it:
Now I endure the burden of
Cutting and raking its bounty
Of beautiful bunch-grasses…

*The people of A’whay slept thus.