rumours and fires

there are more rumours on the wind. and fires... the first rumour i heard was the first (and only) phonecall from baghdad. that was in may. i remember so well, "i might be back for that party my friends have every year"... an independence day party. and just recently, the battalion commander says, "it might be as early as late november to as late as early march"... you have to believe in rumours, cuz they give you nothing concrete to work with. a set return date would make the morale meter burst. no matter how early or late, just something concrete. something to make your life plans around. i pray for a rumour that comes true, but at the same time would like to strangle the little creep in some mouldy little cubby hole that generates them. and fires... the santa anas are so good at carrying them. mother sez the sky was red and the ash falling like a volcanic eruption. she loaded the car with family photos and important papers. choking and waiting...like me...