Playing with fire

Most of the runners in this year's Snowman Race. Last time, the Bhutanese destroyed the international field. Credit: Snowman Race/ Meghan Hicks

This fall has felt like a game.

Fit it all in, Jenga style,

it’ll all work out.

I’ll catch up on sleep

and routine

in winter.

But for now, the fire hydrant is on

at full blast

and I better learn to surf.

Running, taking prelims, sending with friends, falling in love, preparing for Bhutan.

Now, in the happy country,

I realize all the time I’ve been surfing,

there’s the option to step aside,

to watch the water do its thing.

Bhutanese observe like this.

Except when it comes to

their melting glaciers,

the threat of floods.

climate change.

They’re installing more hydrants,

which means conserving forest and such.

What a concept.

They’re shouting to the world:

we must do more!

For Buddhists to get riled,

shit is getting real.

But we know this.

Will we do more?

Will I do more?