Wildfire Smoke

Such a haze out there today.
We live in a smoke ring, it seems. 
I hear coughing on the sidewalk;
the roses are still so lovely. 

It seems a shame to stay inside,
but breathing’s a chore right now.
Everywhere people are coughing
but the rose out here are so lovely.

In spite of the coughing
kids are riding their bikes
up and down, up and down;
they are all coughing but acting 
with no care in the world;
the roses are nonetheless lovely. 

It’s getting toward sunset.
Seems a bit cooler. Even my throat
feels better than normal.
The roses remain so lovely.

The kids are still riding
and shouting and laughing 
whenever they aren’t coughing. 
Pretend these kids
have no reason to fear.
The roses remain so damned lovely.