A Light in the Mirror

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 peace
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.