National Days of Mourning for the Fire

A few days ago, a bolt of lightning struck a dry patch of land and ignited a giant fire.

If you want to send a message to the Portuguese Consulate in Boston, reach out to:

consulado dot boston AT mne dot pt

Below is what I sent:

My dearest Portugal,

May you never fully be consumed by flames.  

The flood and the earthquakes couldn't defeat you.  

Always, may you explore the rest of the planet, always sending out roots, like a giant-strong-inflammable-tree to ground yourself in the earth.

May the earth receive you and your people, in beauty, in gentleness. 

The smoke will dissipate, the skies will be clear once more.

May your future be clean with oxygen and green

and may the waters quench the thirst of the heat

and float your roots and tendrils

across

to connect the rest of the world.

Love, 

Your daughter and granddaughter and great grand-daughter and more,

Me