My Hero

The campfire smell washed over her,

an all too familiar scent

"Pet Store on Main", he mumbled,

where the last 8 hours he spent

He collapsed into bed with exhaustion,

his body was soaked to the bone.

She didn't care what he smelled like,

just thankful that he made it home.

She quickly glanced at the scanner,

quiet now replacing the chime

See, she gets the call when he does

and she barely breathes the whole time

When the call came in from the factory

"Request backup, entire building ablaze"

She heard the siren in her head,

and her vision again turned to haze

She swore she heard another man's number

when she heard "Fireman Down",

The realization hitting her

as the brothers started coming around

It's in their code to help family

when a brother pays the ultimate price

because their courage goes unrivaled

In danger, never thinking twice

Each day I go to my menial job

and work hard to collect my pay

while they risk their lives in every incident,

putting themselves between ME and HARM'S WAY

So the next time you have an emergency,

while you're rushing out and they're going in

Remember to thank and acknowledge them,

and pray for the "home team" to win

"When I'm called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage

Give me the strength to save a life, whatever be its age

An if according to your will, I have to lose my life,

bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife"

- from the Firefighter's Prayer, by AW "Smokey" Lynn