The barn's on fire

[Tiger the Lion]

Hi Keith. I like this one. Feels like a familiar story told economically. Fine ending.

The neighbours arrive with buckets, maybe a semicolon here. Otherwise it sounds as if the neighbours have arrived with buckets, smoke and flames.
smoke and flames claim the barn.
Jess is too lost to run and paces the floor not sure if "lost" is the right word?
her barking is painful, becoming frantic.
With charcoal streaks the old farmer pleads,
with lowered eyes the watchers decide
she won’t survive, stupid dog won’t even try. Not too sure about this and the next line. Almost feels like you've forced a rhyme that you don't really need. - as if impatiently trying to get to the great ending.
But the wind brings a child's cry
and Jess drags something
backwards through the door.

Enjoyable read, thanks for sharing. - Paul