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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “the Breaking” Down in the Dirt (v134) (the January/February 2016 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the book A Stormy Beginning the Down in the Dirt Jan. - June 2016 collection book		get the 318 page Jan. - June 2016 Down in the Dirt issue anthology 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

The Clean Up Crew

A.J. Huffman

Metal saw struck edge of rusting aluminum roof.
The structure, so unstable it wobbled under initial contact.
Exhausted hands had agreed to trade
money for labor, forced the blade further through panels,
down the side.
Sparks and pieces flew in all directions.
Only one landed out of bounds, in a dry patch
of brush.
It continued to smolder
for a moment, a tiny trail of smoke rising unseen
as the men moved on to the next shed
designated for destruction.
A small breeze offered
sweaty skin brief reprieve, blew breath into the hidden
ember.
An eruption of flames pulled focus, they dropped
saws, replaced them with shovels to scoop sand onto the fire.
Too late, the blaze was already a consumptive force,
decimating acre after arid acre.
In a matter of minutes,

the fields were a sun, burning their way into extinction.

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