Heroes
Without a second's hesitation
death's evil grin is challenged time and again
as molten steel bends
ceilings collapse, floors give way
fueling the rage and cacophony
screams engulf the peripheral
as smoke permeates
the field of vision
professionalism, resolve, and focus
dictate that the sacrifice must continue
the tears and heartache that well up inside
must be saved for a future date
that might never be seen
the job at hand is far from over
clinging to life is a perilous proposition
a brief respite as another soul is saved
-temporarily
Ash fills the sky
Mt. St. Helen's explodes on a city skyline
millions within its radius
the red line is their collective hope
they battle the blaze until well after dusk
Four hundred and eleven was the final tally
of those we lost in their call to duty
Men and women whose only concern
was protecting their fellow man
We should never forget their courage
nor the reason they were placed in harm's way
