change is inevitable
nothing lasts forever
life doesn't stop for anybody
these are quotes we all know to be true
but very few are truly aware of the time passing around them
I tend to take things for granted
to assume that they'll be there for a long time
I tell myself: "I'll go there tomorrow. I will"
but sometimes, tomorrow is too late
life died here
life will be reborn again and
it will eventually take hold of this land
but for now, these are dead forests
the silence
the smell of smoke
the scattering ashes
wildfires are an agent of change
I don't know what this place will look like in a few years
but it will be different
many trees are gone
many will grow
the creatures of the forest will be replaced by others
perhaps some will never be back again
perhaps some others will make this land their new home
this place might be lifeless now
but that doesn't mean there is no beauty here
lifeless, but still beautiful
eerie, but calming and inspiring
dark, but breathtaking
the soil is still hot
a reminder of the destruction that happened here just a few days ago
the familiar spots, now burned down to ashes, are proof of the change that took place...
of the change that is taking place here
what used to be green and lush, now it's brown and black
what is now burned, reduced to ashes, used to be exuberant, full of life
the same place, but changed
photography pushes me to get out and go to all of these places before they are gone
and to come back when destiny plays its part
to not take anything for granted
to enjoy it while it's here
and to accept it when it's gone
because the only constant in life is change