You have stood in the dust of disaster,
the white powdered mist of destruction clinging to your skin,
breathed in and absorbed the fallen,
while the constant clanging of the sirens
tolled the mourning of your brothers.
Through the endless days and nights
that called for resolution
to end the drone of agony wailing
in the hearts and souls
of those left to wonder at the senseless loss
that in a stunned instant exploded
into ripples that would resound through generations;
you crawled out of the pit, wiped the tears from your eyes, and
honored the lost with a valiance that equalled their sacrifice.
Then, wounded and aching in the deafening silence,
you returned to resume your place.
You put your foot firmly where they had bravely stood,
in the shadows echoing their absence;
then turned, much later, to me in my insignificance,
and bowed your head to whisper softly,
"I am not worthy."
~~~
Author notes
"Blessed are the humble,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 5:3
In life, there are times that we meet people whose humility is so genuine we are speechless. I have met such a person and offer this piece in thanksgiving and profound respect for him personally and for the brotherhood that comprises the men who serve in the capacity of Firefighter.
Photo Credit: http://www.mcmahanphoto.com/
Comments
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Wonderful title, it fits your poem perfectly. ♥
I love your descriptions! You use words and put them together a bit differently than a lot of people would and it works out really well.
The ending, too, was beautiful. ^-^
Wonderful job!
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Thanks,
There is a picture that goes with it but it disappears until I renew my Silver subscription. Should be back up soon. Thanks for your comments. I wrote this based on my then fiance's involvement with 9/11 Disaster, we got married June 20.
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A very nice tribute to this one man and to the men and women that stepped up to the plate and gave their all - and then some - beyond the call of duty.
Paul -
It's a very moving poem, and a great tribute to all the firefighters that do a great job, everyday. My respects to them all.
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This is a splendid tribute to your friend
and his commrades
Firefighters have got to be the bravest men on the earth
I am sure they have the respect of all human beings
bravo
hugs Moony
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Tear jerkingly beautiufl this is one of the best tribute poems i have ever read!
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Thanks Jeff, I so appreciate your comments
you know how it goes..."I met a guy....he actually also does Federal Search and Rescue Task Force and he blew into Louisiana with Hurricane Gustav; ended up at the Red Cross Shelter I was managing and we've been communicating ever since. After he left LA, they were deployed to Texas for Ike and then California for the wildfires. When all of that was done he came back to LA, from his home station in Virginia, to spend a week-end in New Orleans in the French Quarter. I'm flying up to VA for a week at Christmas. For those of us who are able, poetry is such a lovely expression of what cannot be said in mere conversation. I so enjoy the feeling of your work as well.
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Bravo for this great tribute Patsy!
Paul
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Awwww shucks Cowboy, 'twarnt nothin
you should meet my inspiration...the best
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Hi....
Just to let you know, please add an additional 5 words as there are only 162 and there is one word spelled wrong. Thanks for the entry.
Leance
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I re-did it, getting 167 on my counter, let me know if yours differs.
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