the bird sanctuary I was on my way to meet up with a friend and I decided to cut through the bird sanctuary. It was late spring and I was on my bike. The woodsy dirt path probably wasn’t as practical as taking the bike path but the scenery made it worth while. Everything was just starting to bud and the leaves were beginning to show on the trees. The ground was damp and would leave a trail from my bike tires in the mud as I traveled through. It was white from the cotton seeds being dropped from the cotton wood trees that stood tall all through out the sanctuary. It looked like snow on the ground because the white fluffy seeds lay so full and dense on the woods floor. It was a beautiful scene. I decided to make a stop at a stone bench that was next to the path. I sat down and brought out my pack of cigarettes lighting one and absorbing my awe striking surroundings. The crisp spring air made the cigarette all the more satisfying as I inhaled the toxins to my lungs. I could hear the birds sing their songs in the trees all around me. I loved being around all of the undisturbed nature and its peacefulness. Such a peaceful place in the middle of the city seemed so rare in this day and age. I held my cigarette in my right hand and would take drags slowly as to make sure I could get the most out of my time on the stone bench. I stared at the ground as I smoked and admired the white cotton wood seeds that carpeted the forest. I patted my hand over the ground feeling how soft and fluffy the seeds were. I took a drag from my cigarette. I couldn’t help but notice how flammable the cotton wood seeds must be. I took another drag from my cigarette. i day dreamed about how delicate these woods really were. My cigarette was almost gone and I was about to finish my time I had spent in the beautiful bird sanctuary in a moment or so. I looked up and down the path to see if there were any people near by. Nobody was around. It was so peaceful. I took my last drag from my cigarette and flicked it into the sea of white seeds, not really considering the consequences that would follow. I just wanted to see something interesting happen. The lit cigarette landed in the middle of the path on top of the cotton wood seeds and their seemed to be a brief moment of silence throughout the forest before they lit aflame. The fire started small and then quickly arose to waist high. It spread in a circle moving outward toward the rest of the forest. I could see the flame getting out of hand so I ran to where the cigarette landed and attempted to stomp it out. The fire was spreading too quickly though and had made its way off the path and into the woods. Oh shit, I thought. I made one last attempt to put the flame out but was unsuccessful seeing as the cottonwood seeds were everywhere and very flammable apparently. I hopped on my bike and fled the scene looking back only once, seeing the bright orange flame spreading throughout the forest. Whoops.