when we are young
we dream of superheros
of brave soldiers
police and firemen
their pictures in the paper
songs in their name
parades in their fame
and days of remembrance
we never look to the 2 a.m. pager
red and white vest
thick soled boots
hard hats and papers
the simple soldiers of mercy
the guardians of peace
a cross on their back they bear
humbled in the streets
we pat on the back
the weekend warrior
the reservist cop
the volunteer fireman
we thank the doctors and the nurses
the clergy and the herses
the soldiers alive and dead
and the wives that carry them
we never look to the 2 a.m. pager
red and white vest
thick soled boots
hard hats and papers
the simple soldiers of mercy
the guardians of peace
a cross on their back they bear
humbled in the streets
slogging through the streets of town
the shell of a burned down home
lives erased by wind and rain
the crack of thunder, volcanic pain
never a dime paid
never a praise sang
never a day of thanks
never
they may not always risk life and limb
but in harms way they come
risking all they can risk
risking their job, their family
we never look to the 2 a.m. pager
red and white vest
thick soled boots
hard hats and papers
the simple soldiers of mercy
the guardians of peace
a cross on their back they bear
humbled in the streets
in defence of our people they stand
allied not with a government
ready, waiting
moment to moment to moment to moment
next to you at the grocery store
your manager you work for
the neighbor down the street
your kids teacher, the list incomplete
they walk amongst us
humbled folks, but in debt we are
to their service
to their cause
for they are the 2 a.m. pager
red and white vests
thick soled boots
hard hats and papers
they are the simple soldiers of mercy
the guardians of pece
a cross of red on their back they bear
silent through the streets
they make not a cent
spending more on equipment
to serve, to prepare
to ready to provide care
taken for granted
but they are there
show the volunteers
we really do care.
2009 Poetry, Songs | 2 Comments »