I was about six years old
playing with matches
out in the woods on a very hot day
near my grandparents home
When the fire got away from me
I howled “Help fire!”
My father grabbed a gunny sack
and ran about half a block
to where I was and put out the flames
just as they were starting to go up
the fall Douglas fir tree
If he had not come right away
the fire would have burned down
many square miles of timber
and many homes
Everyone wanted me to be spanked
but my Dad said “no”
so I am very grateful for such a kind
and loving father