The day quiet, but not from caution

warm in the extreme for Colorado

muggy, almost damp,

as if a welcome change anticipated

dawn came quietly this morn

clouds low not really roiling

looking gray and lumpy

like water just before boiling

sudden violence to come

They march seemingly without tiring

always on a mission

charging straight over obstacles

looking neither right nor left

birds not singing, not flying

rabbits hiding, scampering to shelter

clouds low, hovering not threatening

even flowers hiding, except for a few

all is silent, though beautiful

day dawned with gloomy skies

not from weather, from smoke

fires miles away, carried on the wind

fowling the air, leaving lungs burning

and silence