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Open Poetry #40
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SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert

0 posted 2007-07-02 09:09 AM



The Firemen

There is little satisfaction
In today’s work.
We watch… sidelined,
As the flames engulf
And finish what they started.

What was a home
Is now nothing,
But ashes and embers,
Charred remnants
Of what was,
And is no longer.

Gone completely
A lifetime of
Precious memories.
Including walls,
Lovingly maintained,
That had been a shrine
…of remembrance,
For an only son
Lost in Vietnam.

Pictures of daughters,
Grandchildren,
Long grown
And scattered,
Some to be found...
Some forever lost.

Precious images
Of generations bygone,
Books and drawers
Filled with past memories,
Irreplaceable… irretrievable,
All removed
Without owner consent.

Vanished also
The happiness of today,
Destroyed within the flames
Of this hungry phantom fire.
At this moment,
The utter hopelessness
Of the NOW dims future dreams.

We know full well
That the material items,
Including the house...
Will be replaced,
And in a reasonably short
Period of time.

From prior experiences,
Such as this,
We are also well aware
That the pain,
Of this devastating loss,
Will diminish...
But will never be forgotten.

We can but watch
In silence and awe,
At the power of the flame.
Casting its color
Like a brilliant sunset
Against the skies,
It portrays
A certain majesty.

We made an error,
There is satisfaction
In today’s work.
We watch… sidelined,
As the flames engulf
And finish what they started,
But...no human life was lost.


© Copyright 2007 das - All Rights Reserved
dgvarner
Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552
High Springs, Florida
1 posted 2007-07-02 10:38 AM


"...Irreplaceable… irretrievable,
All removed
Without owner consent."

I'm so very sentimental--I fear this might be the loss of my own irreplaceable 'stuff' one day...   !!

Wonderful write...and no lives lost--that is a good thing...!     

I've seen a painting of a fireman standing at the door of a building with the flames shooting out and they resemble a demon of sorts...I think it's called "fighting the demon"...That's what this poem reminds me of...

hugs, g

"...Never regret anything that made you smile..."

Dominique-Simone
Senior Member
since 2005-11-12
Posts 643

2 posted 2007-07-02 02:39 PM


Very nice and great descriptions
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